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Tag: EHV-1

  • Horse virus EHV-1 outbreak spreads to eight Texas counties, at least 2 deaths

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    The number of confirmed cases of EHV-1, the deadly horse virus, has grown to 17 across eight Texas counties, authorities said Monday. Two horses have died.

    The counties affected are Bell, Hood, Wise, Erath, Wharton, Fort Bend, McLennan and Montgomery, according Equine Diseases Communication Center.

    The outbreak was first detected last week after rodeo events in Waco, Stephenville and Oklahoma. As of Monday, cases have been reported in other states including four in Oklahoma; three each in Louisiana, New Mexico and Arizona; two in Washington; and one each in South Dakota and Colorado.

    “If horses are known or thought to be exposed, they should stay at home and isolated and be monitored by taking rectal temperatures twice daily for at least 14 days,” the Texas Animal Health Commission said. “If animals are traveling interstate to attend an event, it is important to contact the state of destination for their current requirements. Animals under hold orders or quarantines are under TAHC movement restrictions and should comply with set requirements to help keep their horses and the equine industry safe.”

    Texas officials say the outbreak is “quickly evolving” and there could be more unconfirmed cases and deaths.

    “We continue to be made aware of horse deaths suspected to be associated with the current EHV-1 outbreak but have not received laboratory confirmation, were not tested by the owner, or have not been officially reported to the TAHC,” the commission said. “The TAHC does not report numbers of suspected cases, only laboratory confirmations. The epidemiological evaluation of the outbreak continues to be extremely dynamic and quickly evolving.”

    The Fort Worth Stockyards has temporarily stopped its twice-daily cattle drives on East Exchange Avenue until Nov. 28 as a precaution. None of the horses that are part of the Fort Worth Herd have been affected.

    According to the EDCC, supportive care and rest are recommended for animals with the disease. Other treatments include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications, antivirals and heparin.

    The National Cutting Horse Association’s World Championship Futurity began on Nov 10. and will continue until Dec. 6 in Fort Worth with hundreds of horses entered into events.

    NCHA organizers put in place protocols for the events, including temperature monitoring of all horses when they arrive and twice daily while they are at the event. Any horses showing symptoms must be immediately isolated.

    The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, which organizes the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo events in Las Vegas from Dec. 3 to Dec. 13, has implemented safety protocols.

    The PRCA and the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association postponed the NFR Breakaway Roping event at the Las Vegas championship.

    “The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association and Women’s Professional Rodeo Association have received notice from the venue regarding the 2025 National Finals Breakaway Roping, PRCA Permit Challenge, and Benny Binion Bucking Horse Sale,” the PRCA said in a statement Friday. “Out of caution and the Nov. 21 stringent biosecurity guidelines, the events will not take place on Dec. 2, 3 or 4 at the South Point Arena. Potential dates and venues are being explored to host these events in a timely manner.”

    The Texas commissioner of agriculture, Sid Miller, called the NFR the “Super Bowl of Rodeo,” saying that almost half of the contestants come from Texas and these events are “big money generators for these communities.”

    “The Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) must be notified within 24 hours of all suspected and confirmed cases of equine herpes virus-1 (EHV-1) and equine herpes myeloencephalopathy (EHM),” TAHC said. “Reports can be made to any TAHC region office. This requirement applies to a veterinarian, a veterinary diagnostic laboratory, or a person having care, custody, or control of an animal. It is of utmost importance for a swift and effective disease response that reporting is done in a thorough and efficient manner.”

    This story was originally published November 24, 2025 at 5:24 PM.

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    Fousia Abdullahi

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  • Virus threat to North Texas herds grows, 2 horses confirmed dead, officials say

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    Deadly horse outbreak kills two horses in Texas after rodeo events in Waco and Stephenville.

    Deadly horse outbreak kills two horses in Texas after rodeo events in Waco and Stephenville.


    Chris Torres

    ctorres@star-telegram.com

    The Texas Department of Agriculture is warning horse owners to take the EHM virus seriously and begin biohazard precautions.

    Equine Herpesvirus Type 1 was discovered during the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association world finals and barrel racing in Waco from Nov. 5 to Nov. 9. Since then, there has been a growing number of cases of the deadly horse virus in Texas and neighboring states.

    Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller told the Star-Telegram Friday that some horses have died due to the outbreak. The Texas Animal Health Commission has confirmed at least two deaths.

    “A concerning number of mortalities in horses suspected to have EHM have been reported but not yet confirmed with laboratory testing,” the agency wrote in an emial. “At least two horses in Texas have died with laboratory confirmation of EHM.”

    Equine herpes myeloencephalopathy is a neurologic syndrome caused by the EHV-1 virus. While EHV-1 is common in horses, the neurologic form of the disease is rare, according to the Equine Disease Communication Center.

    Officials said this is a particularly deadly virus, especially in horses that develop neurological symptoms. Strict monitoring is vital. Any horse that has been exposed to the virus needs to quarantine and remain under observation for at least 14 days.

    Miller said the cases originated from the Extraco Events Center in Waco and the 377 Arena LLC after rodeo events. There are also cases in Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Colorado. A case in Alberta and another in Maryland are unrelated to the Texas outbreak.

    “So, we’re urging horse owners to kind of hunker down. The incubation period is 14 days to 21 days,” Miller said. “Monitor your horses, we recommend twice a day, watch for nasal discharge, watery eyes, maybe a slight cough, if you suspect them, take the temperature twice a day.

    “Once you see an elevated temperature, you need to call the vet. Don’t take them into vet. Don’t take your horses off your premises. We don’t need you to spread it. So use good biosecurity measures. Do not bring any horses on your place. Do not let any leave.”

    Miller said they are recommending a pause on any ancillary services that would visit an owner’s property such as farriers, horseshoers, equine dentists and chiropractors.

    “About 99% of the people will be fine if you didn’t attend one of those events, at those arenas where this originated, you should be fine, as long as you hadn’t had interaction or commingling with horses that were at that event,” he said.

    “Most everybody’s going to be just fine,” Miller said. “But don’t assume you’re going to be fine. Take the precautions. Let’s wait this out and see.”

    The numbers here in Texas have increased to nine since Thursday when the count of infected horses was just two.

    “While the extent of this EHV-1 outbreak is still not fully known, TAHC is taking this situation seriously,” TAHC said

    The agency told the Star-Telegram Friday that the virus is still showing signs of being acute with a rapid progression and “high clinical severity.”

    “TAHC investigation into the character and epidemiology of this disease event is ongoing but the need for rapid and proactive actions to curb the spread is clear,” a spokesperson said. “Measures to prevent contact of horses from exposure to the virus and increased biosecurity overall are recommended.”

    The agency also said the National Assembly of State Animal Health Officials has suspended Extended Equine Certifications of Veterinary Inspection.

    Global Vet Link, whose platform helps create certifications for horses and other paperwork related to equine regulations, said on its website states are not accepting EECVI movement permits for horses during the outbreak.

    While the extended certifications have been temporally paused, the use of certificates of veterinary Inspections can be used to still enter Texas.

    “Additionally, Texas equine market permits will not be issued by TAHC at this time,” TAHC said. “Equine intended for sale in Texas must have a valid CVI and current EIA test prior to entering the state.”

    The state said its encouraging horse owners to continue to work with their veterinarians to assess risk and mitigation plans.

    “Take this virus seriously, and weigh potential risks when commingling equine,” the TAHC said in a statement.

    Tim Long, general manager of Cowtown Coliseum, said the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association would be using two horses from an employee who had them at his ranch.

    “He had the horses on his ranch, and he’s going to hold them there, and hold them there to use only here at this building,” Long siad.

    Long said it’s taken a lot of work to make sure that things are properly cleaned to prevent contamination.

    “We’ve sanitized the building to no end; we’ve spent two days cleaning top to bottom and sanitizing with proper chemicals to make sure that there’s nothing left. And I think they’ve done, the crews have done a wonderful job getting that done.”

    This story was originally published November 21, 2025 at 5:29 PM.

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    Fousia Abdullahi

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