Horse owners across the nation have been spooked by the confirmation of a serious — and potentially lethal — equine virus in four U.S. states, with more confirmed cases expected within the next week.

There are no confirmed cases in Wyoming yet, but horses in the Cowboy State have been exposed within the last week.

Equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) and EHV-4 start as respiratory illnesses but can progress to a serious and fatal neurological condition, equine herpes myeloencephalopathy (EHM).

The mortality rate of EHM can be as high as 75%, and horses that survive require months of intense care and rehabilitation.

The initial outbreak began at the World Championship Barrel Racing Finals in Waco, Texas, on Nov. 5–9, where between 800 and 1,000 horses from across the nation were assembled.

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