Equine Herpes Myeloencephalopathy Caution

The State of Oklahoma is home to countless horse owners and many large national equine events. Due to the potentially serious consequences, news of an Equine Herpes Myeloencephalopathy incident has generated questions, particularly in the barrel racing industry.

The Oklahoma Department of Agriculture Food and Forestry has been notified that a horse from Texas has tested positive for Equine Herpes Virus (EHV-1 “A” strain or wild type strain).

“This horse competed recently at Better Barrel Races World Finals in Oklahoma City April 26 to 29th and also a barrel racing event in Taylor, Texas on May 5,” Herrin said. “We do not know when or where this horse may have first started shedding virus, but out of an abundance of caution we want to make horse owners, event managers, and veterinarians aware of this situation.”

ODAFF recommends horse owners and event managers remain at a heightened level of awareness, implement biosecurity practices to minimize potential exposure; take the horse’s temperature twice a day and look for symptoms of EHV-1 infection such as fever, nasal discharge, incoordination, hind limb weakness, urine dribbling, and a flaccid tail.

Please report any suspicious illness to your veterinarian or the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture Food and Forestry:
Dr. Michael Herrin
(405) 522-6142
michael.herrin@ag.ok.gov