The outbreak of a highly contagious, deadly horse virus, equine herpes, has been contained in Oklahoma, officials say.
A horse in Love County was identified with the disease on May 20, treated and quarantined along with the other horses on the farm. The horse was the only Oklahoma horse at the National Cutting Horse Association national championship show April 29 to May 8 in Ogden, Utah, where several horses were believed to have been infected, said acting state veterinarian Michael Herrin. That horse is now healthy, as are the roughly 30 horses on the farm.
During the first week of the outbreak, there were 86 suspect/confirmed new cases in several states. The second week had 62 new cases. The third week had 10 suspect/confirmed new cases, and the fourth week had no new cases. The virus is considered contained.
The outbreak has affected only horses attending two events and horses directly exposed to that group upon returning home. The two events are the Utah event and the Kern County Cutting Horse Event in California. Affected and exposed horses in all states are under state quarantine or movement restrictions.
Oklahoma events that host horses of an unrelated type have no increased risk of disease exposure now than before this incident began.
There have been no changes in import regulations and no recommended event cancellations issued by the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry.
The virus can lead to respiratory illness, neurological problems, paralysis and miscarriage in pregnant mares.
