State officials are warning people not to participate in any horse shows or sales in light of a recent outbreak of equine herpes. As Commissioner of Agriculture Steve Troxler points out, the current outbreak is now impacting several states.

“It actually started from a big show in Waco, Texas, and a big show in Guthrie, Oklahoma. And unfortunately, there were horses from many, many states in both of these shows, and so it has spread out from there. And this is a very damaging disease, equine, and it is a neurological disease. So what we’re saying is we are urging people not to take their horses to shows or sales until this calms down and then we’ve got an all-clear sign from our vet division.”

What are the symptoms, what are the things they can be looking for?

“Fever, coughing, nasal discharges, and then primarily loss of balance, but most times it’s fatal.”

Now, does this have any impact on humans?

“No. As far as we know, there is no crossover to humans, but for horses, in any one, it is a bad, bad disease, and people need to make sure that their animals are safe and watch them very closely. And if they see any signs, of course, they need to talk to their vet. But we also would ask you to report it to our vet division, and that number is 919-707-3250.”

Commissioner Troxler is also encouraging anyone who recently took horses to shows in Waco, Texas, or Guthrie, Oklahoma, to contact their vet and have them checked.