Salmonella is cause of mystery quarantine

Horse dies in outbreak

A MYSTERIOUS quarantine closure order that baffled villagers was caused by a fatal, equine salmonella out-break.

On December 12 the Newbury Weekly News reported how Curridge residents were sur-prised to see the closure order posted on a public right of way.

Signs stating “Horses in quarantine – footpath and bridleway closed until further notice” appeared on land surrounding Copyhold Farm bearing no further details, council logo or contact number.

It is illegal to obstruct a public right of way by, for example, fencing or locking a gate across it and some residents wanted to know whether the closure, on land popular with ramblers and dog walkers, was official – and whether there was any disease risk to themselves or to their pets.

To add to the confusion, the closure did not appear on a list of public rights of way closure notifications published by West Berkshire Council.

However, following enquiries by this newspaper a spokes-woman for the council, Peta Stoddart-Crompton, said that the council did, in fact, close the path.

“Veterinary surgeons from Donnington Grove were called to see a sick horse at Copyhold Farm in Curridge on November 21. The horse was sent to a veterinary hospital at Liphook [in Hampshire] where it subsequently died,” she said.

“Tests carried out identified salmonella; therefore, the vets subsequently contacted the council who closed the path as a precaution.”

She added: “As part of the precautionary measure, other horses involved and subject to ongoing treatment were isolated on the farm.

“As of today, we understand that there is no immediate threat to public health.

“The owners of Copyhold Farm are following bio-security measures and to date no other horses have been infected. The path is likely to re-open within the next few days.”

Equine salmonella, while sometimes fatal to animals and a potential threat to humans, is not a notifiable disease such as African horse sickness.

Government advice on dealing with an equine salmonella outbreak recommends isolating infected horses; posting informative signs or notices; stopping all movement of visitors and horses on and off the yard, using footpaths around the yard, using barrier nursing techniques and not taking any equipment out of the infected area.