AAEP and EDCC release a critical November 25 update on EHV-1. Here’s what horse owners need to know about symptoms, biosecurity, and outbreak risks.
The November 2025 EHV-1 situation evolves, the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) and the Equine Disease Communication Center (EDCC) released a detailed webinar outlining the latest confirmed cases, regional risks, and recommended biosecurity protocols. The November 25 update provides important clarity for horse owners, barn managers, and veterinarians navigating this rapidly changing outbreak.
Below is a clear, accessible breakdown of the webinar’s key points, translated for everyday equestrians who need reliable, actionable information.
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What the Webinar Covers
The AAEP/EDCC session delivers a comprehensive overview of the current EHV-1 landscape, including:
Current Case Counts & Affected Regions
Experts reviewed the most recent confirmed EHV-1 and EHM cases across the United States, including clusters associated with events, traveling horses, and boarding barns. They noted elevated risk in states with active movement, increased barn-to-barn exposure, and competition travel.
How the Virus Spreads During High-Movement Seasons
Veterinarians emphasized that fall and early winter are high-risk periods due to:
- Show circuits and regional championships
- Holiday travel and horse transport
- Boarding density as turnout decreases
- Stress-related immune suppression in many horses
Early Symptoms Horse Owners Should Watch For
The panel outlined the most commonly overlooked early signs, including:
- Fever (often the first detectable warning)
- Mild nasal discharge
- Lethargy
- Ataxia or hind-end weakness in neurologic cases
- Changes in urination or tail tone
They urged owners to take temperatures twice daily for any horse exposed, recently transported, or showing subtle changes.
Containment & Biosecurity Protocols
The webinar reiterated core practices that barns should implement immediately when facing potential exposure:
- Strict isolation of symptomatic horses
- Dedicated equipment for each horse
- Disinfection of buckets, feed tubs, stalls, trailers, and grooming tools
- Limiting movement: no new horses in or out
- Controlled visitor traffic and PPE use
- Avoiding shared water sources during travel or events
These are especially important for barns located within states reporting active cases.
When to Call Your Veterinarian
Experts reinforced calling a vet at the first sign of fever, neurologic symptoms, or if a horse has any known contact with confirmed or exposed horses. They also highlighted the importance of PCR testing and rapid reporting to state animal health authorities when required.
Why This Update Matters
The AAEP and EDCC emphasized that early detection and rapid containment are the most effective tools available.
While EHV-1 cannot be fully eliminated from the equine population, barns can dramatically reduce severity and spread with consistent protocols.
For horse owners watching this outbreak unfold across multiple states, this webinar provides clarity, grounded information, and a unified message from the nation’s most trusted equine health organizations.
If you manage a boarding facility, lesson program, or show barn, consider the following immediate steps:
- Review your barn’s biosecurity plan with all boarders.
- Establish a communication protocol for reporting fevers.
- Require twice-daily temperatures for at-risk horses.
- Temporarily pause hauling unless medically necessary.
- Contact incoming/outgoing barns to confirm health status.
- Create isolation flowcharts so staff knows exactly what to do.
Small changes now can prevent costly, stressful, and potentially deadly consequences later.
