The Texas Department of Agriculture is warning of an equine virus outbreak linked to an event in Central Texas.

 The Texas Department of Agriculture is warning of an equine virus outbreak linked to an event in Central Texas.

** MEDIA RELEASE **

The department issued an alert to horsemen regarding an outbreak of Equine Herpesvirus Type 1 (EHV-1) reported by veterinarians after the recent World Championship Barrel Racing (WPRA) Finals in the Waco area Nov. 5-9 2025.

Officials are asking horse owners, trainers, or venue operators who attended or were in proximity to the event to monitor their animals carefully. Horse owners or facility operators who recently participated in large multi-barn gatherings, roping jackpots, or traveled extensively, including in the Waco region are also urged to monitor and take precautions, officials say. 

“This virus can spread fast, it can be deadly, and the earliest signs are often so subtle they’re easy to miss,” Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller 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.”

Officials say "a particularly aggressive" strain of EHV-1 was confirmed by veterinary clinics in Central Texas, and an investigation is ongoing. 

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. 

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
• Abortions in pregnant mares

Recommended steps

• 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.
                                                          - MEDIA RELEASE