The Equine Disease Communication Center is monitoring an outbreak of equine herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy (EHM) that originated at the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association (WPRA) World Finals and Elite Barrel Race event in Waco, Texas, on Nov. 5-9.

So far, the EDCC has confirmed two EHM cases in McLennan County, Texas; two cases in Logan County, Oklahoma; and three cases in East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana. The three Louisiana horses are exhibiting neurologic signs and are being treated at the LSU Veterinary Hospital. 

The Texas Animal Health Commission is directly contacting contestants who attended the WPRA World Finals and Elite Barrel Race regarding a 14-day hold on all horses that were present, as well as any horses located at the facility, barn, or home of the affected contestants. The hold started Nov. 18 and will be lifted on Dec. 2. Horses will not be able to travel until the hold has been lifted. They must be temperature checked twice daily for 14 days to be released from the hold. 

EDCC Health Watch is an Equine Network marketing program that utilizes information from the Equine Disease Communication Center (EDCC) to create and disseminate verified equine disease reports. The EDCC is an independent nonprofit organization that is supported by industry donations in order to provide open access to infectious disease information.

EHV 101

Herpesvirus is highly contagious among horses and can cause a variety of ailments in equids, including rhinopneumonitis (a respiratory disease usually found in young horses), abortion in broodmares, and EHM.

In many horses, the first or only sign of EHV-1 infection is fever, which can go undetected. In addition to fever, other common signs of EHV-1 infection in young horses include cough, decreased appetite, depression, and a nasal discharge. Pregnant mares typically show no signs of infection before they abort, and abortions usually occur late in gestation (around eight months) but can be earlier. Abortions can occur anywhere from two weeks to several months following infection with EHV-1.

Horses with EHM usually have a fever at the onset of the disease and might show signs of a respiratory infection. A few days later, neurologic signs such as ataxia (incoordination), weakness or paralysis of the fore- and hind limbs, urine retention and dribbling, loss of tail tone, and recumbency (inability to rise) develop.

Herpesvirus is easily spread by nose-to-nose or close contact with an infectious horse; sharing contaminated equipment including bits, buckets, and towels; or clothing, hands, or equipment of people who have recently had contact with an infectious horse. Routine biosecurity measures, including hygiene and basic cleaning and disinfection practices, should be in place at all times to help prevent disease spread.

Current EHV-1 vaccines might reduce viral shedding but are not protective against the neurologic form of the disease. Implementing routine biosecurity practices is the best way to minimize viral spread, and the best method of disease control is disease prevention.