An equine virus outbreak following a Texas event has spread to multiple states, according to the Equine Disease Communication Center.
TEXAS, USA — An outbreak of an equine virus that originated from an event in Central Texas has spread to several states, according to the Equine Disease Communication Center.
The Texas Department of Agriculture first warned in November about an outbreak of Equine Herpesvirus Type 1 (EHV-1) reported by veterinarians after the World Championship Barrel Racing (WPRA) Finals in the Waco area, Nov. 5-9. The outbreak led to rodeo changes at Cowtown Coliseum in Fort Worth Stockyards, among other changes.
The Equine Disease Communication Center reports cases of Equine Herpesvirus Myeloencephalopathy (EHM), a disease caused by EHV-1, have been reported in Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, South Dakota, Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona and Washington. Of those, 18 EHM cases have been confirmed in Texas with neurologic signs, seven in Oklahoma, three in Louisiana, one each in South Dakota and Colorado, and three in New Mexico, according to the organization.
“While EHV-1 most commonly causes respiratory disease, some strains cause outbreaks of neurologic disease,” the Equine Disease Communication Center’s website states. “EHV-1 causes neurologic signs as a result of inflammation of the blood vessels and activation of blood coagulation within the brain and spinal cord. Neurologic signs occur as a result of a lack of blood flow and resulting damage to the brain or spinal cord; this disease manifestation is known as Equine Herpesvirus Myeloencephalopathy (EHM). Classic clinical signs of EHM include fever, swelling/stocking up of the limbs, hindlimb weakness, and urine dribbling. Some horses are more severely affected and display behavior changes, signs of cranial nerve dysfunction, seizures, and an inability to stand. While EHM is a serious disease, the majority of cases are not fatal.”
Horses can transmit EHV-1 through nose-to-nose contact or aerosolized particles released when an infected animal coughs or sneezes, officials say. It can also spread indirectly through shared tack, grooming tools, water and feed buckets, thermometers or other equipment. Humans can also unintentionally act as carriers by spreading the virus via their hands, clothing or boots, according to the Texas Department of Agriculture.
Symptoms of EHV-1
- Fever
- Nasal discharge, coughing, or other respiratory changes
- Depression or lethargy
- Neurological signs: stumbling or incoordination, loss of tail tone, hind-limb weakness, recumbency
