The Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry confirmed negative test results for Equine Herpes Myeloencephalopathy (EHM), the neurologic disease linked to Equine Herpes Virus (EHV-1), in all the horses that were deemed likely to be exposed to an infected horse at the National Reining Breeders Classic in Tulsa, OK.
All horses at the NRBC left the premises at the conclusion of the show Sunday.
“I appreciate the cooperation of all the people who were involved in this situation,” said ODAFF State Veterinarian Dr. Rod Hall. “The event managers at Expo Square were great, and my team did a great job as well.”
ODAFF is following up with Oklahoma owners and trainers who had horses at the show to verify that they are isolating their horses as much as possible and monitoring their temperatures.
“Temperatures should be taken twice daily,” Hall said. “Any temperature over 101.5 degrees, or any symptoms of EHV-1, should be reported to their veterinarian and to the State Veterinarian’s office at 405-522-6141.”
The isolation and temperature taking should go until May 8, 2023, which is 21 days from the last potential exposure.
“I would like to ask that any owners or trainers who had horses at the event contact ODAFF so we have correct contact information in order to follow up,” Hall said.
EHV-1 is spread from horse to horse through contact with nasal discharge or spread as aerosol droplets. Distance between horses should be maintained whenever possible. Sharing of grooming and feeding equipment is discouraged because EHV-1 can also be spread on tack, clothing, and other equipment.
For more information about EHV-1, including symptoms and treatment, visit https://www.equinediseasecc.org/equine-herpesvirus.
