ODA Horse Tests Negative for Equine Herpesvirus

Just before Thanksgiving, the Oregon Department of Agriculture was notified by a private veterinarian of a horse at a large boarding facility in Lane County exhibiting neurologic symptoms.

The ODA said due to the size and complexities of the facility Oregon State Veterinarian, Dr. Ryan Scholz, responded Saturday November 22nd.  That private veterinarian and Dr. Scholz agreed that based on the clinical presentation of the horse and the history of the horse, Equine Herpesvirus 1 (EHV-1) was unlikely to be the cause of the neurologic symptoms.

Better Safe Than Sorry

ODA added out of an abundance of caution, samples were collected from the horse and submitted to the Oregon Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory at Oregon State University (OVDL) for EHV-1 testing, and an official quarantine was issued by Scholz for the facility housing the horse.  Based on Scholz’s on-site assessment and a review of facility records, it was determined that the exposure risk was limited to the physical portion of the property where the horse was located.

Testing conducted November 24, 2025 by the OVDL did not detect EHV-1 virus in any sample submitted from this horse, and the quarantine was subsequently released.  The Oregon Department of Agriculture would like to acknowledge and thank the private veterinarian, and the affected facility for their quick response and extensive cooperation in responding to this case.

Oregon Remains EHV From This Outbreak

At this point in time, the ODA said there have not been any cases of EHV-1 confirmed in the state.  Learn more about EHV-1 by visiting the ODA's Equine Herpesvirus Information Website.

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