Equine Herpesvirus Outbreak in Texas Appears to Subside, Vigilance Urged
The recent outbreak of a neurological disease linked to equine herpesvirus is showing signs of abating, according to the Texas agriculture commissioner, though experts caution against complacency.
Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller stated last week, “We’ve passed the tipping point. There’s no new cases for a couple of weeks.” Despite this positive progress, Miller emphasized the importance of continued preventative measures within the equine industry, including rigorous cleaning of feed and water troughs. “I bleach down my stalls when I go to a new event,” he shared, advising horse owners to isolate newly arrived horses for several weeks before allowing them to interact with existing stable populations.”We still need to be diligent and use good cowboy logic when it comes to protecting the horses.”
the outbreak’s origin was traced to the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association World Finals and Elite Barrel race held in Waco between November 5th and 9th. The event triggered a series of postponements across the equine event landscape.
The Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo (FWSSR), scheduled to begin its annual run in January, confirmed it is “closely monitoring” the situation. In a statement, FWSSR detailed its comprehensive approach to risk mitigation, stating, “Working alongside [the Texas Animal Health Commission], the Will Rogers Memorial Center and Dickies Arena, FWSSR establishes stringent rules and regulations as well as sanitary protocols and procedures regarding livestock, horses and poultry that ar
The neurological form of the virus, specifically equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1), can cause respiratory disease, abortion, and neurological complications. The center reports that the virus is not contagious to humans.
While the outbreak is serious,the center reports that the majority of affected horses-approximately 60-70%-recover with appropriate treatment and supportive care.
Confirmed cases have also been identified in Oklahoma (with nine cases representing the largest concentration outside of Texas), Louisiana, South Dakota, Colorado, and New Mexico. The extent to which cases in these other states are connected to the initial Waco outbreak remains unclear.
The Texas Animal health Commission recommends the following precautions for horse owners who may have had exposure to the virus:
- Clean and disinfect all tack, boots, equipment, and grooming supplies.
- Isolate horses that attended the Waco event for a minimum of two weeks.
- Monitor the temperature of returning horses twice daily for 14 days following the last known exposure. Contact a veterinarian immediately if a fever of 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher develops.
- When performing feeding and chores, work with returning horses last, wearing dedicated boots and coveralls that are removed before interacting with other horses.
- Practice thorough handwashing.
- Submit laboratory samples from horses exhibiting clinical symptoms to the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory or another accredited facility.
While the immediate threat appears to be diminishing, continued vigilance and adherence to biosecurity protocols remain crucial to preventing future outbreaks and protecting the health of Texas’s equine population.
This article first appeared on Fort Worth Report and is republished here under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
