Ranchers and horse owners are on high alert for an outbreak of a highly contagious and potentially deadly horse virus after cases were confirmed from a tournament in Waco, Texas earlier this month. Several locations are closing and events are cancelling as part of precautions.
Commissioner Sid Miller and the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) on Wednesday, Nov. 19 issued an alert about an outbreak of Equine Herpesvirus Type 1 (EHV-1), reported by Texas veterinarians after the recent World Championship Barrel Racing (WPRA) Finals in the Waco area held Nov. 5-9. Miller is urging extra vigilance by all horse owners, trainers, and venue operators who attended or were in proximity to the WPRA event, or who have recently returned from any large equine gathering in the Waco region in the last 14 days.
The American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA), whose headquarters are based in Amarillo, said in a Wednesday update on Facebook that “AQHA is aware of a possible equine herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy outbreak from recent events in Texas. AQHA always recommends following good biosecurity practices when traveling with your horses. Best practices for preventing EHM transmission include minimizing horse-to-horse contact and exposure to aerosolized nasal discharge or contaminated surfaces including clothing, people, buckets and barn items as well as disinfecting surfaces and equipment that may have come into contact with infected horses. Owners should monitor their horses, avoid unnecessary travel, and contact their vets with concerns.”…