Albany County Horse Owners Urged to Follow Precautions After Regional EHV Cases
Multiple Wyoming fairgrounds temporarily closed horse arenas, stalls and livestock pens on November 20, 2025 as a precaution against Equine Herpesvirus and Streptococcus equi concerns reported in neighboring states. Albany County owners should review livestock board guidance on isolation, fever monitoring and equipment restrictions because those steps reduce spread and protect animals and livelihoods.
On November 20, 2025 several Wyoming fairgrounds closed horse arenas, stalls and livestock pens temporarily as a precautionary step amid regional concerns about Equine Herpesvirus and Streptococcus equi. The Central Wyoming Fairgrounds announced a closure of its facilities through November 24 for cleaning and sanitizing, and state guidance urges heightened biosecurity wherever horses congregate. Officials reported outbreaks in neighboring states, including Texas and Oklahoma, prompting the measures.
The Wyoming Livestock Board issued specific recommendations for exposed animals that are relevant to owners in Albany County. Exposed horses should be isolated for 21 days, temperatures should be taken twice daily with a fever threshold of 101.5 degrees Fahrenheit, equipment and personnel should not be shared between animals or facilities, and a veterinarian should be contacted if symptoms appear. These steps are intended to slow transmission and give veterinarians time to diagnose and respond to illnesses.
At the time of the fairgrounds closure no equine illness was reported at the Central Wyoming facility, and organizers described the action as precautionary while sanitizing took place. Even so, the disruption underscores how quickly animal disease concerns can ripple through the equine community, affecting events, training schedules and the small businesses that depend on fairs and competitions.
For Albany County residents the practical implications are immediate. Owners who board horses, haul animals to shows, or share tack and facilities need to assess their routines and implement basic biosecurity. Small scale and low income owners may face particular difficulty arranging isolation space or paying for repeated temperature checks and veterinary visits. That gap highlights the need for county level coordination to ensure testing and veterinary resources reach all owners, not just those with larger operations.
Public health officials and animal health policymakers must balance timely restrictions with support for affected communities. Clear communication about quarantine duration, fever thresholds and reporting processes helps owners comply and reduces unnecessary closures. Regional surveillance and rapid reporting of confirmed cases also remain critical to prevent wider spread.
Albany County horse owners and caretakers should consult the Wyoming Livestock Board for the latest guidance and contact their veterinarians promptly if they observe fever, nasal discharge or other signs of illness. Prompt isolation and disciplined monitoring remain the best defenses to protect animals, preserve the local equine economy and limit broader community impacts.
