Overview
- The Equine Disease Communication Center reports at least 29 neurological EHM cases in seven states, with authorities noting concerning mortalities.
- Investigators trace infections to the WPRA World Finals and Elite Barrel Race held in Waco, Texas, from November 5 to 9, and the BFA World Championship in Oklahoma was halted after two linked cases.
- Colorado confirmed a Larimer County horse that attended the Waco event tested positive on November 20 and is quarantined with neurological signs.
- Industry disruptions are widening as the Billings Livestock Commission canceled its November horse auction in Montana and other organizers curtail gatherings to limit transmission.
- Veterinarians advise twice-daily temperature checks, isolation of exposed horses, and rapid reporting, noting vaccines reduce respiratory illness and abortion risk but do not reliably prevent EHM; Pennsylvania also reports an unrelated EHV-4 case and has quarantined four exposed horses.