How It Was First Picked Up

The outbreak was first recognized when horses returning from the Waco events began showing:

• High fevers
• Neurologic signs such as hind-limb weakness and incoordination
• Positive EHV-1/EHM test results

Reports from veterinarians and event organizers triggered rapid notifications to state animal health commissions, the EDCC, and national equine industry groups.

From there, the pattern became clear: horses that had never shared a barn but did share the same competition schedule were turning up sick in multiple states.