TDA WARNS OF HERPESVIRUS TYPE 1 OUTBREAK IN HORSES

  

Commissioner Sid Miller and the Texas Department of Agriculture issued an alert to Texas horsemen of an outbreak of Equine Herpesvirus Type 1.

The outbreak was reported by Texas veterinarians after the recent World Championship Barrel Racing Finals in the Waco area on November 5-9.

Commissioner Miller is urging all horse owners, trainers, and venue operators who attended or were in proximity to the event, or who have recently returned from any large equine gathering in the Waco region in the last 14 days to act swiftly, monitor their animals carefully, and implement heightened biosecurity measures.

Miller said in a press release that the virus can spread fast, it can be deadly, and the earliest signs are often so subtle they’re easy to miss.

He added that monitoring horses right now is critical. The quicker they identify a potential case, the better chance they have to protect not only your own animals, but the entire Texas equine community.”

Clinical signs of EHV-1 can vary widely, and may include fever, nasal discharge, coughing, or other respiratory changes, depression or lethargy, neurological signs like stumbling or incoordination, loss of tail tone, hind-limb weakness, head tilt, recumbency, and abortions in pregnant mares.

The EHV-1 virus spreads quickly and efficiently, making early precautions essential. Horses can transmit the virus directly through simple nose-to-nose contact, and infected animals may also release contagious aerosolized particles when they cough or sneeze.

To better protect your horses and the broader Texas equine community, the TDA has a list of recommendations that you can find in this story at kwhi.com.