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Horse owners urged to tighten biosecurity as neurologic EHV-1 cases rise

Multiple cases of a deadly neurological disease have the U.S. horse industry on high alert.

“It is very scary. My vet and several vets I’ve talked to have never seen anything that has spread this contagiously, this fast.”

Angela Ganter, who owns and operates Lone Star Stables near Abilene, Texas, says an outbreak of the highly contagious neurologic form of Equine Herpesvirus Type-1 (EVH-1) is believed to have stemmed from an early November rodeo event in Waco, Texas.

“It was the craziest thing.”  She says, “We knew people that just drove up, tied their horses to the trailer, then literally went in and ran, and left out, and their horses got sick, had to be put down.”

She tells Brownfield that cases have now been reported in nine states, and horse owners are encouraged to tighten biosecurity measures.

“People vaccinate their horses for it, but this is a different strand.”  She says, “We were not state-regulated to quarantine, but my vet had us close until for sure December the 2nd.”

Health officials say there is no risk to humans.

AUDIO: Angela Ganter – Lone Star Stables