11/20/2025
EHV-1 Outbreak 🚨 Please read entirely
With the recent Equine Herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) outbreak in Texas, we want to remind all of our clients about the importance of biosecurity protocols. While this strain is very concerning and information is flooding social media, there are currently NO confirmed cases in Ohio. There’s no need for panic — just smart, proactive caution.
What to Know About EHV-1
• Highly contagious; can lead to respiratory illness, fever, and neurologic symptoms
• Watch for: nasal discharge, coughing, loss of appetite, weakness, stumbling, or difficulty urinating or defecating
Recommended Biosecurity Measures
• Isolate any horse that has recently traveled or attended events
• Limit visitors and visits to your barn
• Disinfect stalls, trailers, equipment, and high-traffic areas
• Avoid sharing grooming tools, tack, buckets, or trailers
• Take your horse’s temperature twice daily
We know this is very scary for you and your beloved horses. We will continue to post information as we learn more. The Equine Disease Communication Center is a great source to hear of any further states affected. Please stay safe, make smart decisions, and practice proper biosecurity.
We are here to help. Make sure your horses are up to date on their vaccines (6-way or Flu/Rhino), and please contact us should you need any care.
Please post any questions or concerns here as we ask you do not flood our front office with phone calls regarding the outbreak.
What is Equine Herpesvirus (EHV)?
You've probably heard it called Rhinopneumonitis, a respiratory tract disease that results in "snotty noses," but EHV is more than that. Depending on the strain, this virus can also cause abortion in broodmares, and equine herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy (EHM) — the often-deadly neurologic form of the disease.
Because EHV is endemic in many equine populations, most mature horses have developed some immunity through repeated natural infection. However, they remain a source of infection for other susceptible horses, like weaned foals and yearlings, who usually display symptoms of the respiratory form of the disease in autumn and winter. Performance and show horses are also more vulnerable to the disease, as they commingle with unfamiliar equines in close quarters while under stress from travel and competition.
Proper biosecurity protocols can help reduce EHV outbreaks and other disease transmission. A variety of vaccines are also available for protection against both the respiratory and abortive form of the disease, but there is no equine licensed vaccine at this time that has a label claim for protection against the neurologic form (EHM).
Consult your primary equine veterinarian to learn more about this disease and work with them to determine the optimal vaccine protocol for your horses.
You can learn more about all three forms on the Equine Disease Communication Center's website here: https://equinediseasecc.org/infectious-diseases