Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller and the Texas Department of Agriculture issued a statewide alert on Tuesday after veterinarians reported cases of Equine Herpesvirus Type 1 following the World Championship Barrel Racing Finals in the Waco area on Nov. 5–9.
Officials urged horse owners, trainers, and facility operators who attended the event — or who were in contact with horses returning from recent gatherings in the region — to take immediate precautions.
“This virus can spread fast, it can be deadly, and the earliest signs are often so subtle they’re easy to miss,” Miller, an avid horseman, said in a news release. “That’s why monitoring your horses right now is critical. The quicker we identify a potential case, the better chance we have to protect not only our animals, but the entire Texas equine community.”
Equine Herpesvirus Type 1 is a contagious pathogen that infects the mucosa of the upper respiratory tract, according to the National Library of Medicine.
D-FW Public Health Alerts
Who is affected
The advisory applies to anyone who:
Had a horse at the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association event or transported one to or from the venue.Has a horse that interacted with animals exposed at the event.Recently attended multi-barn events, roping jackpots or other large equine gatherings in the Waco region.
Veterinarians confirmed the presence of a particularly aggressive strain of EHV-1 in Central Texas.
Symptoms to watch for
Authorities asked horse owners to watch for:
FeverNasal discharge, coughing or respiratory changesDepression or lethargyNeurological signs such as stumbling, incoordination or hind-limb weaknessAbortions in pregnant maresHow the virus spreads
According to the release, the virus can spread through:
Nose-to-nose contactCoughing or sneezingShared tack, buckets, grooming tools or equipmentHuman contact on hands, clothing or bootsRecommended steps
The Texas Department of Agriculture advised owners to:
Isolate exposed horses for at least 14 days or until evaluated by a veterinarian.Avoid hauling or showing horses that may have been exposed to the virus.Disinfect trailers, equipment, buckets, and shared tools.Stop sharing tack, halters, grooming tools and water sources between groups.Check temperatures twice daily and report fevers of 101.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher.Isolate and contact a veterinarian if a horse shows coughing, nasal discharge, or neurological signs.Stay in communication with veterinarians and monitor updates from state authorities.