Equine Herpesvirus in Alpine

By Madi Deskovick, Skyline Reporter

ALPINE - An outbreak of Equine Herpesvirus (EHV), or rhinopneumonitis, has officially reached Texas.

This virus is a disease that has been known to trigger respiratory issues, possibly lead to upper respiratory disease. As well as other side effects, EHV can cause stillbirths in horses. However, this new strand can go neurological and eventually lead to death in horses that experience the virus. The disease can be transferred through nose-to-nose contact by horses, rails, barns, fencing, halters, and more. The disease can be eliminated using simple disinfectants and prevented by quarantining horses and keeping them away from sick horses.

The origin of the first known case of this EHV strand was found at a rodeo event in Waco, Texas, known as the WPRA World Finals and Elite Barrel Race. This event was held from November 5th – 9th. EHV has since affected a confirmed 11 horses in Texas and 4 cases in Oklahoma, according to the Equine Disease Communication Center.

Quarantine precautions are being taken at horse facilities all over the country. In Alpine, Texas, the Sul Ross Rodeo S.A.L.E. arena and agricultural facility has taken precautions to keep the students’ personal horses, as well as the school’s horses, safe. Roads through the arena property have been closed off in order to prevent horses from entering the stall area, where many healthy horses are currently living.

This outbreak affected me personally when the horse that I compete on was placed in quarantine due to the Texas Veterinary Board, our Agricultural Commissioner, and Sul Ross’ recommendations. As such, any horses that left the property of the S.A.L.E. arena after the 17th of November were placed in quarantine, with monitored temperatures and sanitized surroundings. As the virus continues to affect horses, I am happy to report that my horse is now healthy and has not yet shown any symptoms of this virus.