EHV Outbreak: Oregon Issues Emergency Equine Rules; Klamath Fairgrounds Issues Full Suspension
New statewide rules target the prevention of EHV/EHM transmission; Klamath County Fairgrounds issues an immediate closure for all equine use as a precaution.
The Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) has enacted temporary emergency rules aimed at reducing the risk of Equine Herpes Virus (EHV) and Equine Herpes Myeloencephalopathy (EHM) entering or spreading within the state. The rules, filed November 19, take effect immediately and apply to horses entering Oregon as well as those participating in high-risk equine events.
The action follows reports of an active EHV/EHM outbreak linked to barrel racing and rodeo-type events in Texas and Oklahoma, where several horses have tested positive and additional cases — including equine deaths — remain under investigation. ODA reports no confirmed cases in Oregon at this time.
State animal health officials are coordinating with counterparts in affected states to identify and quarantine any Oregon horses that recently attended the impacted events and may have been exposed.
Klamath County Fairgrounds Temporarily Suspends All Equine Use
In response to the new temporary administrative order and out of caution, the Klamath County Fairgrounds & Event Center has issued an immediate suspension of all equine use at its facilities.
In a statement released Thursday, fairgrounds officials said:
“Due to issues outlined in the Temporary Administrative Order issued by the Oregon Department of Agriculture, the Klamath County Fairgrounds and Event Center will be temporarily closed to all equine use of the facilities, effective immediately.
This decision has not been made lightly. The safety and well-being of animals, participants, and the public remains our top priority. At this time, we are awaiting further guidance from the Oregon Department of Agriculture so we can determine the most appropriate and responsible path forward.
We will provide an update no later than Monday, November 24, or sooner if new information becomes available.”
Fairgrounds officials said they appreciate the public’s understanding and cooperation during the temporary suspension. For questions or additional information, the fairgrounds may be contacted at fairgrounds@klamathcounty.org or 541-883-3796.
What the Temporary Rules Require
Under the emergency measures, all equine exhibitions in Oregon must meet several new requirements:
Advance Registration: Exhibitions involving horses must register with ODA at least 20 days before the event.
Recordkeeping: Organizers must collect specific documentation at the time horses enter the venue.
Veterinary Involvement: Each event must have at least one designated veterinarian involved in planning and available on-site or on-call.
Isolation Area: Every exhibition must establish a designated isolation space for any horse showing signs of illness.
ODA says these rules strengthen oversight during a period of elevated risk and improve Oregon’s ability to respond quickly if an infected horse is detected.
How EHV/EHM Spreads
Equine Herpes Virus (particularly the EHV-1 strain) spreads through:
Direct horse-to-horse contact
Nasal secretions
Aerosol droplets
Contaminated surfaces such as stalls, feed bins, water buckets, tack, or trailers
Indirect spread via human hands, clothing, or equipment
Infected horses may show no symptoms but can still shed the virus. ODA urges horse owners to monitor for signs of illness and follow strict biosecurity practices, including disinfecting surfaces and equipment that come into contact with multiple horses.
Cover image: Wirestock on Freepik