19/11/2025
To all our clients:
There is a lot of information coming in regarding the EHV outbreak. Please make sure you are getting your updates from official sources.
Please see the below comprehensive summary from our colleague Dr. Buchanan at BVEH Navasota. Dr. Fitzgerald would like to stress a few key points:
1) The outbreak is currently consisting of horses that were either present at, or have been in contact with horses that were present at, the recent WPRA Barrel Race Finals in Waco. If your horse has not been at that event, or around other horses that may have been at that event, your horse is at low risk.
2) The best way to stop the spread is to restrict movement. We advise not traveling to any large rodeos or other competitions where there is the potential for large numbers of horses in a small area. WE suspect there will be many canceled events in the near future. If your event won't cancel, ask for a refund!
3) If you think your horses may be at risk for exposure or disease based on recent travel history, start taking temperatures twice a day. Call us if they have a temp greater than 101.5 F
4) If you haven't boostered your horse for EHV (Rhino) in the last 3 months, a booster is recommended. We can sell you vaccine to do it yourself or we can come and vaccinate your horse(s) at your place. If your horse has NOT come in contact with other traveling horses, and your horse doesn't travel (i.e. you have a closed herd), an EHV vaccination is not necessary. (But remember, your closed herd is still at risk for mosquito borne diseases like West Nile Virus and diseases like Rabies)
5) Please don't hesitate to call our office with any questions or concerns! 979-732-4321
Edited to add:
BVEH NAVASOTA HAS NO CASES ONSITE IN NAVASOTA. It is safe to bring your horse for their normal appointments, we will have additional biosecurity protocols before and in between appointments. We are working to set up an offsite location to triage potential sick horses. We will have updates tomorrow for you. Dr. Buchanan will go live here on Facebook at 8:15am tomorrow (Wednesday) morning.
BVEH Advisory:
EHV-1 Cases in Horses Returning From a Recent Event
Brazos Valley Equine Hospitals wants to notify horse owners that we are aware of multiple confirmed cases of EHV-1 in surrounding hospitals, and several suspected cases including several horses with neurologic signs (EHM) currently being diagnosed in the barrel horse community. BVEH has not admitted and is not treating and EHV or EHM cases.
The State of Texas Animal Health Commission is aware of the outbreak.
At this time, 5–10 horses are known to us to be sick, but the true number is likely higher as many cases go unreported.
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What Horse Owners Should Do Right Now:
1. Keep all horses at home!
Please avoid hauling, clinics, lessons, shows, or mingling horses for the next several weeks until more information is available.
Movement is the #1 factor that spreads EHV-1.
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2. Check temperatures twice daily!
Fever is usually the first sign (often before nasal discharge or neurologic symptoms).
• Temp at or above 101.5°F = call your veterinarian.
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3. Notify your veterinarian immediately if your horse exhibits:
• Fever
• Weakness or incoordination
• Standing with hindlimbs wide
• Tail tone changes
• Difficulty urinating
• Lethargy or decreased appetite
Early intervention improves outcomes.
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4. Discuss treatment options with your veterinarian.
For febrile or exposed horses, your vet may recommend:
• Valacyclovir
• Aspirin or other anti-thrombotics
• Anti-inflammatories
• Supportive care
(These should only be used under veterinary direction.)
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5. Biosecurity matters.
• Do not share water buckets, hoses, tack, grooming tools, or stalls.
• Disinfect trailers, thermometers, and crossties.
• Isolate any horse with fever immediately.
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About Vaccination.
Current evidence shows vaccines do not prevent EHM, but they can reduce viral shedding and shorten viremia, which lowers barn-wide spread and is important to the community.
Boosters are helpful when:
• A horse was vaccinated > 90 days ago, or
• You are preparing for high-risk environments (events, hauling, mixing populations).
What the research shows:
• Booster vaccination increases IgG1 and IgG4/7, the antibody classes linked with limiting viremia.
• Reduced viremia = reduced likelihood of severe disease and decreased transmission.
• Boosters are most effective in younger horses, previously vaccinated horses, and non-pregnant horses.
Vaccines do NOT stop a horse already incubating EHV-1 from developing signs, and they do not eliminate the risk of neurologic disease. For horses already exposed or febrile, do not vaccinate until cleared by your veterinarian.
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We Will Continue to Update You!
BVEH is actively monitoring cases and communicating with veterinarians across Texas and neighboring states. We will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available. If your horse is showing fever or any neurologic signs, please contact your veterinarian or call BVEH immediately.
Please ask any questions in this post and we will work to answer them quickly. Stay tuned for additional updates, including a Live Q and A with Dr. Ben Buchanan tomorrow (Wednesday).
We have documents on our website www.bveh.com specific to EHV and biosecurity. Additional resources included below.
Stay safe, monitor closely, and thank you for helping limit the spread.
— Brazos Valley Equine Hospitals
Link to BVEH documents regarding EHV-1:
http://www.bveh.com
Link to ACVIM consensus statement: https://www.acvim.org/research/consensus-statements
Link to AAEP EHV documents:https://aaep.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/EHV1-4-guidelines-2021.pdf
Link to Equine Disease Center:https://aaep.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/EHV1-4-guidelines-2021.pdf
