The Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) has confirmed a case of equine herpes myeloencephalopathy (EHM)-the neurologic form of equine herpesvirus (EHV-1) in a Texas Quarter Horse on November 18, 2025.
For additional background, the TAHC fact sheet on EHM and EHV-1 is available here:
https://www.tahc.texas.gov/news/brochures/TAHCFactSheet_EHM.pdf
What This Means for Exotic Wildlife Owners:
Veterinarians working closely with EWA report that EHV-1 primarily affects equids-horses, donkeys, and zebras. These species are the natural hosts for the virus. Cases in non-equid exotic species are extremely rare, and when they have occurred, they were almost always in zoo environments where animals shared close quarters with infected
There is no evidence that exotic wildlife commonly found on Texas ranches; such as antelope, gazelles, axis deer, fallow deer, or other hoofstock are susceptible to EHV-1 or face any meaningful risk of infection.
Key Facts About EHV-1 Transmission:
EHV-1 can spread through:
- Direct horse-to-horse contact
- Aerosolized droplets
- Contaminated equipment, trailers, tack, or barn environments
Because exotic wildlife on ranches generally do not share barns, water sources, or fence-line contact with horses, the risk of transmission to non-equids remains very low.
Bottom Line:
- EHV-1 is almost exclusively an equine disease.
- Most exotic wildlife species cannot contract it.
- A small number of equids, such as zebras, onagers, and kiangs, may be susceptible.
- Non-equid hoofstock (antelope, deer, etc.) are not known to be at risk.