There has been a devastating outbreak of Rhino EHV-1 (Equine Herpesvirus) in the USA that is proving deadly to the many horses that have contracted this terrible disease.  It is a mutant strain of the neurological variation of Rhino, there is no vaccine for it, and it is lethal.

There are multiple confirmed deaths in Arizona, California, Utah, Colorado, Canada, Idaho, and unfortunately, is spreading very quickly.  It is believed that a horse with the virus attended the NCHA Western National Championship cutting in Ogden, UT and has caused a massive cross contamination.  All the horses that are dead or are being treated were vaccinated for Rhino, it doesn’t matter, this strain does not respond to any vaccine.  The first death was a Canadian cutting horse that attended the Ogden show, there have been more in Weld County Colorado, there is a barrel racing stable in Colorado that has a confirmed case, which shows that it is rapidly and easily spreading through different disciplines and through many venues - CSU is now full and most Vets are not accepting Rhino horses, and have considered worldwide experts in this matter.  This is considered an emerging disease. It is behaving in an extreme manor.  A similar outbreak occurred before, and at CSU, despite the fact the school runs one of the nation's top veterinary biosecurity programs, the EHV virus spread to over 20 equine patients on the premises, and spread out of control.

Information courtesy of Top Hatt Equine Centre's Facebook page - for more information visit the sites listed below, including the latest news update direct from CSU:

http://www.news.colostate.edu/Release/5733

http://www.nchacutting.com/ag/shows/pdf/cda_20110513.pdf