SAN ANTONIO — The San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo has canceled its qualifying event in Uvalde due to a horse virus outbreak in Central Texas.

According to the San Antonio Express-News, the cancellation came after the Texas Animal Health Commission released guidance on a recent outbreak of Equine Herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) at the World Championship Barrel Racing (WPRA) Finals in Waco that took place Nov. 5-9. The Uvalde event was scheduled for Nov. 19-22.

EHV-1, also known as horse virus, affects animals in the equidae family like horses, zebras and donkeys. It cannot be transmitted to humans.

In a Nov. 19 statement, Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller urged horse owners, trainers and venue operators who attended or were in proximity to the Waco event, or who have recently returned from any large equine gatherings in the Waco region in the last 14 days to closely monitor their animals.

“This virus can spread fast, it can be deadly, and the earliest signs are often so subtle they’re easy to miss,” Miller said. “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.”

Miller also recommends implementing biosecurity measures like isolating animals that exhibit symptoms of the virus, disinfecting trailers and equipment and staying in contact with a veterinarian.

Symptoms of the EHV-1 can include:

Fever
Nasal discharge, coughing, or other respiratory changes
Depression or lethargy
Neurological signs: stumbling or incoordination, loss of tail tone, hind-limb weakness, head tilt, recumbency
Abortions in pregnant mares

“I’m asking every local horse rider, roper, trainer, and breeder to do their part today,” Miller said. “Check your horses twice a day, isolate any exposed animals, tighten up your biosecurity, and call your vet the moment something looks off. If we work together and take this seriously, we can get ahead of this outbreak and keep our horses and our state’s $12.3 billion equine industry safe.”