As of noon today, EDCC is reporting 7 confirmed EHM (neurological) cases in Texas, 3 in Oklahoma, 3 in Louisiana, and 1 in Colorado.

Unlike previous disease outbreaks, MDA is asking event organizers and individual horse owners to contact them, directly and proactively. MDA asks:

  • organizers of “events planned in the near future (next 28 days)” to contact MDA directly at 410-841-5810 and “provide specific points of contact of individuals with decision making authority with whom MDA can work;
  • owners of horses that traveled to Texas, Oklahoma, or other equine events where EHV exposure may have occurred, to contact MDA directly at 410-841-5810. MDA will give owners guidance on quarantines and monitoring. MDA will also contact the owners of horses that have traced to the exposure directly and may issue State Hold Orders to mitigate further spread of the disease.
  • organizers to “require short-term (72-hour) health certificates”;
  • organizers and horse owners to consider postponing or cancelling equine events to safeguard Maryland’s horse industry.”; and
  • horse owners to consult with their veterinarians about the risks associated with travel to upcoming equine events.

We are monitoring this developing story and will provide updates as new information comes in.