A strain of Equine Herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) — including neurological cases classified as equine herpes myeloencephalopathy (EHM) — was confirmed by multiple equine veterinary clinics in Texas on November 18, with several cases traced to horses attending major events such as the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association World Finals and Elite Barrel Race held November 5–9, in Waco. The Barrel Futurities of America World Championships held November 15 – 22 at the Lazy E Arena in Guthrie, Oklahoma, was cancelled November 18 through the remainder of the event due to a confirmed positive case of EHV/EHM.
As health officials, state veterinarians, producers and horse owners began to take precautions with the confirmation of confirmed cases of EHV on November 18, by November 19 new updates and suggested protocols have been encouraged.
BHN will continue to follow the latest updates and news as this EHV-1 outbreak unfolds.
November 21; PRCA Update Regarding 2025 Wrangler NFR
On November 21, 2025, the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association and Las Vegas Events announced updated equine health requirements for the 2025 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.
The statement on the PRCA’s website reads as follows:
The priority of Las Vegas Events and the PRCA is to safely and fully complete the 2025 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. The current guidelines are based on ongoing monitoring of the current equine health landscape and may be adjusted as needed. Las Vegas Events and the PRCA will continue collaborating with state veterinary officials to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all participants, both human and equine, throughout the event.
Las Vegas Events and the PRCA, in coordination with the Nevada Department of Agriculture and the Texas Animal Health Commission, have announced updated equine health guidelines for the 2025 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. These measures are designed to protect the wellbeing of all participating horses, while upholding the highest standards of biosecurity and animal care.
The updated stringent equine health guidelines for the 2025 NFR include the following key points:
- All horses must have a Seven-Day Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) and a unique entry permit number obtained from the Nevada Department of Agriculture.
- All participants and competitors are responsible for daily temperature monitoring of their horses.
- There is a no-travel advisory for all horses participating and competing at the NFR.
- Enhanced verification and check-in procedures will be in place at the Thomas & Mack Center.
- Biosecurity measures will be maintained throughout the event.
**The Junior National Finals Rodeo will follow similar safety procedures for the competition at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
November 21, WPRA National Finals of Breakaway Roping Postponed
In a joint statement, the WPRA and PRCA announced November 21 in a press release that the National Finals Breakaway Roping which was set to be held at the South Point Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, December 2-3, will be postponed. Find the press release below:
The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association and Women’s Professional Rodeo Association released a joint statement Friday, Nov. 21, in regard to the postponement of the 2025 National Finals Breakaway Roping due to the ongoing outbreak of the Equine Herpesvirus (EHV/EHM).
“The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association and Women’s Professional Rodeo Association have received notice from the venue regarding the 2025 National Finals Breakaway Roping, PRCA Permit Challenge, and Benny Binion Bucking Horse Sale. Out of caution and the Nov. 21 stringent biosecurity guidelines, the events will not take place on Dec. 2, 3 or 4 at the South Point Arena. Potential dates and venues are being explored to host these events in a timely manner.”
The PRCA and Las Vegas Events are continuing to monitor the situation and have announced updated equine health guidelines for the 2025 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. These measures are designed to protect the wellbeing of all participating horses, while upholding the highest standards of biosecurity and animal care.
Additional information on this evolving situation will be available at prorodeo.com and wpra.com.
Latest EHV-1 / EHM Counts
The Equine Disease Communication Center is monitoring an outbreak of EHM that originated at the WPRA World Finals and Elite Barrel Race event November 5-9, 2025.
According to the Equine Disease Communication Center, as of November 25, 2025, 27 cases of EHM and seven cases of EHV-1 have been confirmed across the United States linked to the Texas outbreak.
The EHM case reported in Maryland on November 18, 2025 was not associated with the Waco, Texas, outbreak.
| State | EHV-1 cases – PCR positive, no neurologic signs | EHM cases – PCR positive, with neurologic signs | EHV-1 PCR positive, no clinical signs |
| Texas | 1 | 15 | |
| Oklahoma | 1 | 4 | |
| Louisiana | 3 | ||
| South Dakota | 1 | ||
| Colorado | 1 | ||
| New Mexico | 3 | ||
| Arizona | 3 | ||
| Washington | 2 |
News of the EHV-1 outbreak unfolded as follows:
November 18, at approximately 5:30 p.m. CST: A strain of Equine Herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) — including neurological cases classified as equine herpes myeloencephalopathy (EHM) — was confirmed by multiple equine veterinary clinics in Texas via social media updates.
November 18: The WPRA was notified on November 18 by the Texas Animal Health Commission that equine attendees at the WPRA World Finals and Elite Barrel Race held November 5-9 in Waco, Texas, had exhibited clinical neurological signs of EHV-1 after the event.
November 18, at approximately 6:30 p.m. CST: The WPRA confirmed in an official announcement made on their social media pages and website that equine attendees exhibited clinical signs of EHV-1 as reported by the TAHC, as well as that prior to the start of the WPRA World Finals on November 5, no livestock — including equine — had been on the event property since October 12, 2025.
November 18, at approximately 7:00 p.m. CST: The Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry confirmed via a social media announcement that the Oklahoma State Veterinarian was monitoring the possible exposure of Equine Herpesvirus Myeloencephalophathy at the BFA World Championships at the Lazy E in Guthrie, Oklahoma.
November 18, at approximately 10:00 p.m. CST: At the conclusion of the BFA Super Stakes the BFA announced that the remainder of the event would be cancelled after they heard from Oklahoma State Vet of a confirmed positive EHV. Attendees were advised to vacate the Lazy E within 24 hours.
November 19: The Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry released an update that as of 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, November 19, there were multiple confirmed cases of Equine Herpes Myleoencephalopathy, the neurologic form of EHV-1 and exposure risks in horses that attended the WPRA Finals, as well as two cases of EHM in horses that attended the BBFA World Championship.
The statement read: “Exposed horses are not allowed to move off the home premises until they have completed 14 days with no symptoms. Unexposed horses may travel to events, although it is recommended, they do not leave the premises unless truly necessary.”
November 19, at approximately 4:30 p.m. CST: The Texas Animal Health Commission released a statement reading: “The extent of this EHV-1 outbreak is not yet fully known. Presentation of EHV-1 in these horses has been acute with rapid progression and high clinical severity. A concerning number of mortalities in horses suspected to have EHM have been reported. Investigation into the character and epidemiology of this disease event is ongoing but the need for rapid and proactive actions to curb the spread is clear. Measures to prevent contact of horses from exposure to the virus and increased biosecurity overall are recommended. TAHC encourages event sponsors to take all necessary precautions to prevent further spread of this virus and protect equine health. Given the nature of this virus and routes of transmission, and out of an abundance of caution, TAHC recommends canceling or postponing equine events as the best method to protect horses from further exposure until such time as the extent of the current outbreak has been determined.”
November 19: a series of equine events including barrel races, roping events, and even Hunt-Seat events in Texas and Oklahoma were cancelled. As of 5:00 p.m. CST event cancellations include events as far as California.
November 19: the WPRA confirmed in announcements that the San Antonio Rodeo qualifier set to be held in Uvalde, Texas, November 19-22, as well as the Prairie Circuit Finals to be held November 19-22 in Mulvane, Kansas, were cancelled.
Find the current list of cancelled WPRA events due to EHV-1 here.
As of 5:00 p.m. CST, November 19: events that have not cancelled but will be monitoring the situation included: the OKC Futurity, December 9-14 in Oklahoma City, the All-In Barrel Race, December 4-14 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The National Reining Horse Association also made an announcement that as of November 19 the NRHA Futurity which is set to be held in Oklahoma City from November 24 – December 6, will proceed as scheduled while the NRHA continues to monitor the situation with reference from the Oklahoma State Veterinarian.
The statement read: “NRHA continues to monitor the confirmed EHV cases in Texas and Oklahoma. There are no cases at OKC Fair Park, and the Oklahoma State Veterinarian has confirmed the NRHA Futurity may proceed as scheduled.”
November 19: the WPRA shared another press release outlining procedures for affected horses issued by the TAHC. The WPRA update was published on its website and read as follows:
EHV-1 Update as of November 19, 2025 — TAHC Hold On Travel
A press release from the WPRA read:
Today, the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) issued a press release regarding an outbreak of Equine Herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1/EHM). As promised in previous communication, we are committed to maintaining open lines of communication between the WPRA, Elite Barrel Race, and the TAHC to keep you informed and supported.
Texas Animal Health Commission will be directly contacting contestants who attended the WPRA World Finals and Elite Barrel Race in Waco, Texas, from November 6–9, 2025, regarding a 14-day hold on all horses that were present, as well as any horses located at the facility, barn, or home of the affected contestants.
What this means:
- The hold started 11/18/2025 and will be lifted 12/2/2025
- Horses will not be able to travel until they have been lifted from the hold on 12/2/2025
- Horses must be temp checked twice a day (morning & night) for 14 days in order to be released from the hold
- All horses at member’s facility/barn/home will be included on this hold
Please reach out to TAHC directly for any questions regarding the restrictions listed above at 1-800-550-8242. We encourage you to follow all instructions from TAHC carefully and to monitor your horses closely.
We want to assure you that the WPRA is actively working closely with Elite Barrel Race and TAHC to provide accurate information and guidance to our contestants. The health and safety of the horses, participants, and our equine community remain our top priority.
To view the latest press release from TAHC regarding the EHV-1/EHM outbreak, visit: https://www.tahc.texas.gov/news/2025/2025-11-19_EHM-Waco.pdf
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation during this time. Together, we can help safeguard the health of our equine community.
This is an ongoing story and will be updated as more information is made available.
Nationwide? Have cases been confirmed in every state?