Montana Restricts Horse Imports Amid Multi-State Herpes Outbreak

HELENA — The Montana Department of Livestock issued an emergency order Thursday restricting horse imports into the state as a rapidly developing multi-state outbreak of Equine Herpes Virus continues to spread from barrel racing and roping events in Texas and Oklahoma.

The emergency rule, effective immediately, requires all horses entering Montana to travel with a certificate of veterinary inspection issued no earlier than 72 hours before crossing state lines. Montana currently has no confirmed cases, but officials warn the outbreak’s full extent remains unknown and is likely to expand.

“This is a rapidly developing outbreak, and there are now many cases reported in multiple additional states,” according to the emergency order released by the department.

The new restrictions prohibit entry for any horses that may have been exposed to EHV-1 within 14 days prior to veterinary inspection or those exhibiting clinical signs consistent with the virus, including fever. The 72-hour certificate requirement also applies to Montana horses issued certificates for out-of-state travel who are returning home on the same documentation.

Understanding the Disease

Equine Herpes Myeloencephalopathy is caused by the equine herpes virus (EHV-1), which is common in the general horse population. When it causes illness, the virus produces three distinct disease syndromes: respiratory disease primarily affecting young horses, abortion, and neurologic disease.

The virus spreads through aerosol transmission or indirectly via contaminated equipment, including water buckets, feeding equipment, hands, clothing, tack, and trailers. Current vaccines for EHV-1 do not protect against the neurologic form of the disease.

Warning Signs

Horse owners should monitor their animals carefully for multiple symptoms, including fever, nasal discharge, lack of coordination, and hindquarter weakness. Additional warning signs include horses leaning or resting against fences or walls to maintain balance, lethargy, urine dribbling, head tilt, diminished tail tone, and penile paralysis.

The department urges owners who observe any of these signs to contact their veterinarian immediately and notify the Montana Department of Livestock at 406-444-2976.

All other standard importation requirements for horses eligible for entry into Montana remain in effect under the emergency order.