Equine Health Alerts

Frankfort KY. - The Kentucky Department of Agriculture / Office of State Veterinarian (KDA/OSV) has received notification regarding the confirmation of several cases of equine herpes myeloencephalopathy (EHM), the neurologic disease linked to equine herpes virus (EHV-1) in both Texas and Oklahoma. The initial EHV-1/EHM horse was detected several days after the WPRA event finished. The affected horses both attended the 2025 WPRA World Finals and Elite Barrel Race event in Wac

From the desk of Caleb Harms, 2025 President of the Kentucky Association of Equine Practitioners: "I want to bring to your attention a small but noticeable increase in the number of equine cases of Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis (Pigeon Fever) here in Kentucky.  While typically associated with a more western and southern distribution, the UK Veterinary Diagnostic Lab has reported 10 equine Pigeon Fever cases so far this year (8 in October) compared to only 1 in 2024 and n

1 Equine Confirmed October 14, 2025, As Affected With West Nile Virus in KY.  This is KY’s 14 th  equine confirmed West Nile cases in 2025. IN CARTER County: KDA Reference: 014 isA  21 YR RKY MT GELD  - ALIVE Onset Date: ~10/6/25 Presented on 10/7 as lethargic, depressed with muscle fasciculations AND 102.3 fever On 10/14 reported as continuing to improve Vaccination:   No WNV Vacc History Reported    The Department of Agriculture's Equine West Nile page will be updated to in