MINEOLA, Texas — Following an equine virus outbreak, the Mineola Chamber of Commerce has cancelled all horse entries for this year's Christmas Parade.

An Equine Herpesvirus Type 1 (EHV-1) outbreak was traced to Waco, and has since spread to multiple states across the U.S. Out of an abundance of caution, there will not be any horses present at Mineola's annual Christmas Parade.

"This decision was not made lightly, but the health and safety of our community—and our four-legged friends—comes first," the Chamber of Commerce said.

EHV-1 is an aggressive virus that can be potentially fatal in horses that show symptoms, ranging from fever and respiratory issues to serious neurological problems. The outbreak has led to widespread shutdowns of events featuring horses, including in East Texas

See Full Page