EHV-1 Neuropathogenic/EHM Update—The following is directly from the Arizona state veterinarian. As always, we’ll update again if new travel requirements are released.
“The AZDA was notified by the attending veterinarian Wednesday night that two horses from Pinal county displaying neurologic signs tested positive with point of care EHV-1 tests on samples collected that evening. On Thursday, AZDA began reaching out to event organizers requesting information of attendees / registrants or contact info for messaging. On Friday 1/30/2026, one of the two hospitalized horses was humanely euthanized due to progressive neurologic deterioration. Confirmation of EHV-1 (neuropathogenic) by the reference lab was reported Friday afternoon. The events where exposure to the affected horse(s) or dangerous contact (exposed) horses of the affected horses (ie. other horses from the premises of origin of the two clinical horses) are as follows:
January 18, 2026 – Horseshoe Park Extreme Barrel Race
January 20, 2026 – ICE Wittmann Breakaway Roping
January 21, 2026 – Roper Nation Breakaway Roping
January 21, 2026 – John Volken Academy Ranch
January 23, 2026 – TACC Thunderbird Farms Arena
January 24, 2026 - Horseshoe Park Extreme Barrel Race
January 27, 2026 – TACC Thunderbird Farms Arena
As always, many horses even in a normal population may be completely asymptomatic intermittently shedding herpes virus and a smaller subset of those will be shedding neurotrophic herpes (and still may be asymptomatic). Given the extensive show history that has already occurred it's difficult to be on the leading edge of this like the horses returning to Arizona from the Waco, TX and Guthrie, OK events at the end of November where quarantine of returning horses was more feasible. In the current situation the best course of action for your clientele if they have had horses at these historical events would be to encourage rectal temperature monitoring twice daily with logging the results to chart trends, prompt reporting of any signs consistent with EHV-1 (respiratory or neuro) infection to their attending veterinarian and testing (nasal swab and whole blood PCR) if indicated, and voluntary self-quarantine from attending any new shows for the next 14 days.”
The Pinal County Horse Committee is asking that you self quaratine the next 14 days and avoid traveling so that we may still hold our Feb 16th Ranch Sorting Event. We are being hopeful!
What to Know About EHV-1:• Horses may incubate the virus for 2–14 days, typically showing fever first, followed by neurologic signs.
• Horses infected at an event may appear normal traveling home but can become contagious and sick after returning.
• Fever of unknown origin (FUO) is often the earliest indicator—temp >101.3°F warrants immediate action.
Biosecurity Is Your Best Defense:• Don’t share equipment (buckets, grooming tools, tack).
• Clean and disinfect trailers and stall areas after returning from events.
• Keep new or traveling horses separate for 7–10 days when possible.
• Monitor temperatures on any horse that has been off-property.
We will keep everyone updated as more details come out.