An outbreak of highly-contagious equine herpes in Western Canada has forced many rodeo organizers to cancel events.

Normally, the May long weekend in B.C.'s Cariboo region is synonymous with the beginning of rodeo season. But not this year.

100 Mile House's annual Little Britches rodeo, South Cariboo Rodeo Association Rough Stock Rodeo and District Outriders Gymkhana have been postponed due to suspected cases of equine herpes in B.C.

Neurotropic equine herpes virus-1 (nEHV-1) is believed to have originated at a cutting show in Ogden, Utah two weeks ago. The infection has since spread up into Western Canada, according to a release from Equine Canada.

There have been 30 confirmed cases in eight western states as well as an infection in Alberta. Three horses from Vernon B.C. that attended the Utah event are suspected to have the virus as well. So far, seven horses have died.

The neurological strain of the disease is contagious and has a high risk of death for the infected animal. Horses need only breathe on one another to spread the disease.

There's no vaccine for the virus, though an effective treatment exists.

Horses with the virus can't infect people, though people can spread the disease from animal to animal through exchanges such as bridle contact.

Veterinarians recommend isolation as the most effective preventative measure, advice that has prompted the recent round of rodeo cancellations around B.C.

That has people in Williams Lake – which hosts the Williams Lake Stampede every July – worried about the event.

Lorne Doerkson, president of the Williams Lake Tribune newspaper, thinks postponement or cancellation of the renowned event would be very damaging for the Cariboo city.

"It would have an incredibly significant financial impact on this community if rodeo was to be put on hold in any way," he told CTV News on Friday.

"I would hazard a guess that it would be millions – millions – of dollars."

Rodeos scheduled this weekend in Cloverdale and Falkland are going ahead as planned.

With a report from CTV British Columbia's Rob Brown