2 Texas EHV-1 cases confirmed as Equine Herpes Virus outbreak begins in Waco
The Texas Animal Health Commission says they are aware of two cases now and are continuing their investigations to track the virus and where it spreads.
WACO, Texas (KWTX) - A horse virus outbreak has been confirmed to have begun in Waco from one infected horse who participated at an event at the Extraco Events Center.
The Texas Animal Health Commission says they are aware of two cases now and are continuing their investigations to track the virus and where it spreads.
This highly contagious virus called equine herpes virus, or EHV-1, can affect a horse’s respiratory, reproductive and nervous systems and functions.
Today, the Texas Animal Health commission confirmed that it all started with one horse at the World Finals and Elite Barrel Race event for the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association.
This event was held from November 5th through the 9th here in Waco at the Extraco Events Center
The Speegleville Saddle Club announced this morning that they are closing temporarily until the threat of EHV-1 has passed.
Board President for the Club, Cynthia Cunningham said in a statement;
“The health and safety of our local horse community is our top priority. We will continue monitoring the situation and will reopen once it is safe to do so. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation. Updates will be posted our our Speegleville Saddle Club Facebook page.”
Dr. Jeremy Echols with The Vaquero Equine hospital hasn’t seen any horses with EHV-1, but his staff is prepared to treat any horse and report a case if they test positive for the virus.
“It’s similar to a cold virus that we would all be used to, but it can go deeper into the lungs and cause what’s called pneumonitis,” Dr. Echols explained.
He recommends to quarantine horses for 14 days and regularly check temperatures, feeding habits and any unusual behaviors.
The Heart of Texas Equestrian Academy is being vigilant with the 22 horses they have.
Owner Jennifer Matthews Williams says they will quarantine their horses for two weeks while they hold classes, making sure to check in more with every horse to watch for symptoms.
“Our biosecurity plan protocol is you disinfect when you come in, and you disinfect when we go out, and so we’ve got sprays that we use we always have in stock,” Matthews Williams said.
When asked about the outbreak at the event’s center, Dustin Coufal, the President and the CEO of the Extraco Events Center said in the following statement.
“The Extraco Events Center has been notified by the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) of a confirmed case of equine herpes myeloencephalopathy (EHM), the neurologic disease linked to equine herpes virus (EHV-1) from an equine attendee at the Elite Barrel Race/WPRA World Finals held November 5-9, 2025. The Elite Barrel Race and Women’s Professional Rodeo Association (WPRA) are actively cooperating with the Texas Animal Health Commission, and we will follow all recommended guidance to ensure the safety of every animal and individual. We encourage all participants to work closely with their veterinarian for their horse’s safety and well-being and follow all direction and guidance of the Texas Animal Health Commission. The Extraco Events Center is committed to the health and safety of equine athletes and contestants and will continue to work will Texas Animal Health Commission through this time.”
Commissioner Sid Miller and the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) issued an alert to Texas horsemen of an outbreak of Equine Herpesvirus Type 1 (EHV-1).
The outbreak was reported by Texas veterinarians after the recent World Championship Barrel Racing (WPRA) Finals in the Waco area on November 5-9, 2025.
Commissioner Miller says he is urging all horse owners, trainers, and venue operators who attended or were in proximity to the event, or who have recently returned from any large equine gathering in the Waco region in the last 14 days, to act swiftly and monitor their animals carefully.
“This virus can spread fast, it can be deadly, and the earliest signs are often so subtle they’re easy to miss,” Commissioner Miller, himself an avid horseman, said.
“That’s why monitoring your horses right now is critical. The quicker we identify a potential case, the better chance we have to protect not only our animals, but the entire Texas equine community.”
According to TDA, a particularly aggressive strain of EHV-1 has been confirmed by veterinary clinics in Central Texas.
The TDA says the situation warrants immediate attention and those who should act immediately are those who:
- Have a horse that was present at the WPRA event in the Waco area or transported one to/from that event.
- Have a horse that has mingled with those transported from that event.
- 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 region.
Signs of EHV-1 can vary widely but include:
- Fever.
- Nasal discharge, coughing, or other respiratory changes.
- Depression or lethargy.
- Neurological signs: stumbling or incoordination, loss of tail tone, hind-limb weakness, head tilt, recumbency.
- Abortions in pregnant mares.
According to TDA, the EHV-1 virus spreads quickly, 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,” the TDA says.
Even humans can act as carriers, spreading the virus on their hands, clothing, or boots.
The TDA recommends the following immediate steps to prevent the spread:
- Isolate any horse that attended the Waco event for at least 14 days from other equines, or until cleared by a veterinarian.
- Suspend hauling, showing, or mixing horses from the exposure group until further notice. Avoid taking exposed horses to other barns or events.
- Disinfect trailers, wash-racks, cross-ties, tie-areas, tack rooms, buckets, grooming tools, and any shared equipment. Use an appropriate virucidal disinfectant.
- Avoid sharing tack, halters, grooming equipment, buckets, water hoses, etc., between exposed and unexposed horses.
- Monitor temperatures twice daily for all exposed horses and report any fever (≥101.5 °F) or other signs to a veterinarian immediately.
- If any horse exhibits neurologic signs, coughing, or nasal discharge, isolate it immediately, wear protective gear, and call your veterinarian.
- Keep accurate records: track which horses were present at events, their movement, and who handled them for contact tracing if needed.
- Stay in contact with your local veterinarian and keep up to date on updates from state veterinary authorities.
“I’m asking every local horse rider, roper, trainer, and breeder to do their part today,” Commissioner Miller added.
“Check your horses twice a day, isolate any exposed animals, tighten up your biosecurity, and call your vet the moment something looks off. If we work together and take this seriously, we can get ahead of this outbreak and keep our horses and our state’s $12.3 billion equine industry safe.”
This is a developing story.
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