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  • Where Cases Are Being Reported Now

    According to updates from the Equine Disease Communication Center (EDCC) and multiple state agencies, this outbreak is now clearly multi-state:

    • The index cluster has been traced back to the Waco, Texas, barrel racing and rodeo events.
    • As of November 25, 2025, at least 33 confirmed EHV cases linked to the Waco event have been reported in eight states: Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Colorado, New Mexico, Washington, Arizona, and South Dakota.
    • Earlier updates noted confirmed neurologic EHM cases and additional EHV-1 positives in Texas, Oklahoma, Colorado, and Louisiana, with at least two horses euthanized in Texas due to severe disease

    Several other states, including Missouri, North Dakota, and New Mexico, have issued alerts or confirmed individual cases connected to horses that traveled to or from these Texas and Oklahoma events, underscoring how quickly EHV follows the competition circuit.

  • Where the Horse Virus Outbreak Has Spread in the U.S.

    The current horse virus outbreak isn’t hypothetical—it’s a live, evolving situation that started with a single high-profile event and spread across much of the country in just a few weeks.

    How the 2025 EHV-1 Outbreak Started

    In early November 2025, horses gathered in Waco, Texas, for the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association (WPRA) World Finals and Elite Barrel Race, held November 5–9. In the days that followed, veterinarians began seeing horses with fever and neurologic signs that tested positive for Equine Herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1), specifically the neurologic form known as equine herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy (EHM).

    What looked like a local issue at first quickly revealed a much wider footprint as exposed horses returned home across state lines and additional cases surfaced.

  • What Is EHV—and Why Is This Virus So Serious?

    Equine Herpesvirus (EHV) is an umbrella term for several virus strains that affect horses, with EHV-1 and EHV-4 posing the biggest threats during outbreaks. Both viruses spread quickly and cause respiratory disease, but EHV-1 carries additional risks—including neurological complications known as equine herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy (EHM).

    Why veterinarians worry about EHV-1

    • It spreads easily in barns and trailers
    • It can cause abortions in pregnant mares
    • It can trigger sudden neurologic decline
    • It leads to significant facility shutdowns and quarantines

    The neurologic form, EHM, is rare but devastating, causing hind-end weakness, difficulty standing, and in some cases, the inability to rise.

  • Horse Virus Outbreak Across Multiple States

    The 2025 horse virus outbreak has grown much faster than anyone expected. It began with a group of sick horses after the WPRA World Finals & Elite Barrel Race in Waco, Texas. What looked like a small cluster has now become a multi-state equine health crisis. Cases of EHV-1 and the neurologic form, EHM, have been confirmed across the country.

    Horses that competed in Waco—or even passed through the venue—traveled home soon after. Many carried the virus with them. This has led to new cases in Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, Washington, and South Dakota.

    For trainers, owners, breeders, and event organizers, the speed of the outbreak has been alarming. Within days of the event, horses developed fevers, showed neurologic signs, and tested positive for EHV-1. The virus has already caused major event cancellations, including a key San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo qualifier. Several arenas and rodeo facilities in Texas have also shut down temporarily to stop further spread.

    This outbreak is serious. EHV-1 spreads fast, survives on surfaces, and can move quietly between barns through travel, shared gear, and even human contact. The neurologic form, EHM, can appear suddenly, which makes the situation especially worrying for owners.

  • Choose Natural Methods Instead of Chemicals

    Eco-friendly landscaping means working with nature, not against it. Ditching harsh pesticides protects birds, bees, and soil organisms. Instead, use companion planting, natural sprays, or introduce beneficial insects to control pests. This not only supports wildlife but also promotes a stronger garden ecosystem.

    Let Nature Be Wild in Places

    Not every patch of the garden needs trimming or shaping. Allowing a small corner to grow wild will give pollinators and small animals a safe place to live and feed. Wild grasses, clover, dandelions, and fallen leaves may seem untidy, but they provide food, shelter, and protection for different species.

    Your Garden Can Be a Sanctuary

    Environmentally friendly landscaping is not about giving up beauty. It is about inviting nature back in. By creating healthy, natural habitats, your garden becomes more than just a visual space. It turns into a living ecosystem where birds sing, butterflies dance, and new life begins again and again.

  • Add Wildlife-Friendly Water Features

    A water source is one of the most powerful ways to attract and sustain wildlife. It offers washing, drinking, and breeding areas for birds, frogs, and insects. You do not need a large pond. Even a small barrel pond or a shallow stone basin can become a life source in your garden. Just make sure it has safe edges so bees, hedgehogs, and small creatures can use it without risk.

    Build Safe Havens for Tiny Creatures

    Insects are nature’s helpers, and creating homes for them adds both charm and purpose to your garden. A simple bug hotel made from logs, bamboo, and dry twigs gives ladybugs, bees, and lacewings a safe place to rest and reproduce. Leaf piles, log stacks, and undisturbed corners also make perfect shelters for hedgehogs and beneficial insects.

  • Create a Pollinator Pathway

    Pollinating insects need consistent access to nectar across seasons. Instead of planting flowers in isolated spots, build a connected pathway of pollinator-friendly blooms across your garden. Choose plants with varied blooming times to offer a year-round feast.

    Snowdrops, salvia, marigold, and sedum help attract bees, butterflies, and even humming moths, keeping your garden lively from spring to fall.

    Bring Life Back with Sustainable Landscaping Support

    Sometimes, wildlife-friendly landscaping needs a little expert guidance, especially when it comes to garden layout, soil restoration, or wildlife habitat planning. Working with professionals like Natures Own Landscapes can help you design a space that not only looks beautiful but also restores ecological balance by integrating ponds, wildflower meadows, native hedges, and natural shelters.

  • Environmentally Friendly Landscaping Ideas That Bring Wildlife Back

    If you want your garden to feel full of life, you can make simple, eco-friendly changes. These changes help bring back bees, birds, butterflies, and many small animals. Your garden can become a calm, healthy place where nature grows and feels safe.

    It does not matter if your space is big or small. Even a patio with a few pots can support nature with the right choices.

    Native plants are the best place to start. These plants already grow well in your area. They need less water, no strong chemicals, and they give food and shelter to local wildlife. When you grow these plants, animals return. Lavender, foxglove, hawthorn, and wild marjoram are great options that help bring life back to your garden.

  • Best Alternatives if You Need Therapy Covered by Insurance

    If insurance coverage is a must, consider:

    Online Therapy Platforms That Accept Insurance

    • Talkspace (accepts many major plans)
    • Brightside Health (accepts Aetna, BCBS, Cigna)
    • Amwell (accepts many commercial insurers)
    • Teladoc Health (insurance-friendly)

    Local In-Network Therapists

    Search via:

    • Psychology Today
    • Zocdoc
    • Your insurer’s directory

    Low-Cost Options

    • University counseling centers
    • Community mental health clinics
    • Nonprofit support organizations
    • Sliding-scale therapists

    Is BetterHelp Right for You?

    You may prefer BetterHelp if you want:

    • Quick access
    • Flexible scheduling
    • Unlimited messaging
    • Clear, upfront pricing
    • No insurance involvement
    • Privacy from your insurer

    You may prefer insurance-based therapy if you want:

    • Lower out-of-pocket costs
    • Long-term treatment coverage
    • Regular in-person sessions

    FAQs

    Does BetterHelp take insurance for couples therapy?

    No. Insurance is not accepted for any therapy type.

    Does BetterHelp accept Medicaid or Medicare?

    No. Both Medicaid and Medicare are not compatible with BetterHelp’s billing model.

    Can you cancel BetterHelp anytime?

    Yes. BetterHelp renews weekly or monthly but can be canceled at any time.

    What is a superbill?

    A document you submit to your insurer for possible reimbursement.

    Does using BetterHelp affect insurance privacy?

    No. Because BetterHelp doesn’t bill insurance, your mental health information stays off insurance records.

    Final Thoughts

    BetterHelp’s cash-pay model can be frustrating if you rely on insurance to manage the cost of care. Still, for many people, it offers something they can’t get elsewhere: immediate access, no bureaucracy, and predictable pricing.

    Before you sign up, compare your insurance benefits, review your deductible, and think about what matters most—cost, convenience, or coverage. With the right information, you can choose the mental health support that fits your budget, your needs, and your life.

  • Does BetterHelp Take Medicare or Medicaid? What to Do If It Doesn’t

    Many people who use Medicare or Medicaid hope that BetterHelp will be a low-cost way to get therapy. But the truth is simple: BetterHelp does not accept Medicare or Medicaid. The platform is not part of any federal or state insurance program, so members must pay on their own.

    This can feel confusing for older adults, people with disabilities, or families who rely on state health plans. After all, Medicare Part B, Medicaid, and many state mental-health programs do cover therapy with other providers. So why not BetterHelp?

    It comes down to billing rules. Federal insurance programs require therapists to follow strict laws, submit detailed paperwork, and meet set standards for every state. BetterHelp works with thousands of therapists across the U.S., and meeting every rule in every state would be hard and very expensive.

    If you depend on Medicare or Medicaid, you still have good choices. Many telehealth clinics do take these programs. Community health centers, nonprofit counseling groups, and state-approved online therapy platforms often provide free or very low-cost sessions. Some even offer appointments within the same week.

    So even though BetterHelp is not an option for Medicare or Medicaid users, therapy is still within reach. The best steps are:

    • Look for in-network telehealth providers
    • Ask your plan for a list of covered mental-health specialists
    • Check your state’s virtual behavioral-health programs

    Both Medicare and Medicaid have expanded online therapy benefits in recent years. That means many people can still get steady and affordable support — just not through BetterHelp.