Davie issues precautionary advisory to horse owners after out‑of‑state EHV‑1 cases

Davie town leaders on Tuesday issued a precautionary notice to local horse owners after confirmed equine herpes virus (EHV‑1) infections were reported among horses that attended an out‑of‑state barrel race.

A council member representing District 4 summarized the outbreak and recommended that owners who recently traveled with their horses closely monitor animals for up to 14 days, avoid communal trails and suspend nonessential hauling for 14–21 days. The speaker said the outbreak was first reported in horses that attended a barrel race in Waco, Texas, and that the Equine Disease Communication Center had reported multiple confirmed cases with neurologic signs.

The council member cautioned that while there were no confirmed EHV‑1 cases in the town, the virus can spread rapidly via nose‑to‑nose contact and contaminated equipment. “This virus spreads quickly through nose to nose contact, contaminated equipment, and respiratory secretions,” the speaker said, urging residents to limit their horses’ exposures and to contact their veterinarians if they notice symptoms.

Town staff placed informational signs in parks and encouraged residents with questions to contact the mounted‑patrol veterinarian and town staff; the county had coordinated similar advisories following Davie’s notice.