11/20/2025
As many of you are likely aware, there is currently a multi-state outbreak of Equine Herpes Myeloencephalopathy (EHM) caused by Equine Herpes Virus-1 (EHV-1) that originated at the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association (WPRA) World Finals and Elite Barrel Race event in Waco, TX on Nov 5th-9th. Currently, there have been no reported cases in Washington, but we at Evergreen Equine are monitoring the situation closely.
What to do:
* Stay home! EHV-1 is spread through direct nose to nose contact and aerosolization of viral particles. The best way to reduce risk to your horses is to limit travel and exposure to outside horses. At this time, we are recommending postponing non-urgent travel. If you must travel, there are currently new health certificate requirements for some states. Please contact us for more information.
* Practice good biosecurity!
* Isolate new or returning horses, or horses showing symptoms of respiratory or neurologic disease for 21 days, and prevent nose to nose contact with horses that do not have a travel history
* Monitor temperatures, especially on horses with a travel history or housed near horses that have recently traveled
* Take temperatures on horses - fevers > 101.5
* Call if a horse develops a fever, nasal discharge, or neurologic symptoms
* Minimize use of shared equipment (including tack, cleaning supplies, buckets, tools, etc.)
* Wash hands and disinfect equipment frequently
* Monitor updates from reliable sources, such as the Equine Disease Communication Center (EDCC): EHM Outbreak Counts | Equine Disease Communication Center
(https://www.equinediseasecc.org/news/article/Equine-Herpesvirus-Myeloencephalopathy-(EHM)-Outbreak)
If you would like more information on EHV-1 and EHM, this is a good resource: EHV-1 Resources for Horse Owners Archives – The Horse (https://thehorse.com/topics/ehv-1-resources-for-horse-owners/)
Learn more about equine herpesvirus (EHV) and how to protect your horse.