State Veterinarian’s Statement on Nationwide EHV-1 Outbreak Associated with the World Championship Barrel Racing Finals

Lansing, MI – The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development’s (MDARD) State Veterinarian Dr. Nora Wineland, DVM, MS, DACVPM, is alerting Michigan’s equine community to a nationwide outbreak of equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1). The outbreak occurred after two horses that attended the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association (WPRA) World Finals and Elite Barrel Race in Waco, Texas in early November were confirmed to have the disease. Dr. Wineland is urging all horse owners, trainers, and venue operators who attended or were in proximity to the event in Waco; recently returned from the Guthrie, Oklahoma area for the Barrel Futurities of America (BFA) World Championship; and/or recently returned from any large equine gathering in the Waco or Guthrie regions to monitor their animals carefully and implement heightened biosecurity measures.

MDARD was alerted to Michigan horses potentially exposed to the disease (i.e., horses attending the BFA World Championships), and the department has contacted all the owners of these animals. MDARD verified the horses attended BFA and are currently in Michigan, determined the health status of the horses, and ensured the owners were aware of the outbreak and were taking appropriate measures, such as isolating the animals for a minimum of 14 days and monitoring them for signs of EHV-1.

To the best of MDARD’s knowledge, all Michigan horses attending the event are being isolated and monitored for signs of EHV-1. No cases of EHV-1 involving Michigan horses have been reported to MDARD to date.

Michigan horse owners are encouraged to be on the alert if they:

1. Had a horse present at the WPRA event in the Waco area, had a horse taken to the BFA World Championship in the Guthrie area, or transported one to/from those events.
2. Had a horse that mingled with those transported for those events.
3. Any horse owner or facility operator who has recently participated in large multi–barn gatherings, roping jackpots, or traveled extensively enough to include the Waco or Guthrie regions.

   Clinical signs of EHV-1 can vary widely and may include: fever; nasal discharge, coughing, or other respiratory changes; depression or lethargy; stumbling or incoordination, loss of tail tone, hind-limb weakness, head tilt, being down with an inability to rise, or other neurological signs; and/or 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. Indirect transmission is equally dangerous, as shared tack, grooming tools, water and feed buckets, thermometers, and other equipment can all carry the virus from one horse to another. Even humans can unintentionally act as mechanical carriers, spreading the virus on their hands, clothing, or boots.

   To protect your horses and the broader Michigan equine community, the MDARD’s Office of the State Veterinarian recommends the following immediate steps:

   1. Isolate any horse that attended the Waco event and/or traveled to the Guthrie area for at least 14 days from other equids (horses, ponies, mules, donkeys, etc.), or until cleared by a veterinarian.
   2. Avoid taking exposed horses to other barns or events.
   3. Clean and disinfect trailers, wash-racks, cross-ties, tie-areas, tack rooms, buckets, grooming tools, and any shared equipment. Use an appropriate virucidal disinfectant.
   4. Avoid sharing tack, halters, grooming equipment, buckets, water hoses, etc., between exposed and unexposed horses.
   5. Monitor temperatures twice daily for all exposed horses and report any fever (greater than 101.5°F) or other signs of illness to a veterinarian immediately.
   6. If any horse exhibits neurologic signs, coughing, or nasal discharge, isolate it immediately, wear protective gear, and call your veterinarian.
   7. Keep accurate records: track which horses were present at events, their movement, and who handled them for contact tracing, if needed.
   8. Stay in contact with your veterinarian and keep up to date on notifications from state veterinary authorities.
   9. Report any suspected or confirmed cases of EHV-1 to MDARD by calling 800-292-3939 as soon as possible.

   For the current status of the national outbreak, please visit the Equine Disease Communication Center.

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