The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is temporarily closing the Miami Animal Import Center to new arrivals after horses quarantined at the facility became sick. The Equine Disease Communication Center alert for this contains up to date information. APHIS is investigating to determine the specific cause of illness in these horses. Salmonellosis is suspected and the facility is taking precautions to control disease spread. More information on this disease can be found here.

The temporary closure is effective on Saturday, January 19, 2019. Stalls will be closed through March 31. Horses currently under quarantine at the facility are being closely monitored for any signs of illness. To date, six horses have fallen ill with symptoms, such as diarrhea, fever and lameness, with three of the horses dying.

Read the USDA announcement here.