Premises Quarantined in Three States, Due to Vesicular Stomatitis

Cases of vesicular stomatitis (VS) continue to be detected in Texas, New Mexico and Colorado, but the disease appears to be occurring at lower levels than in previous years’ outbreaks. As of July 22, nine premises in Texas and 11 in New Mexico are under quarantine, due to VS infection. In Colorado, 10 horses and three head of cattle are quarantined on premises in four counties. The viral infection, thought to be spread by sand flies or black flies, can cause horses, cattle and other livestock to develop blister-like lesions that can take several weeks to heal.

Vesicular Stomatitis (VS) Caseload Climbs

Three states ­- Texas, New Mexico and Colorado ­- now have confirmed cases of vesicular stomatitis (VS), a sporadic, naturally occurring disease that causes blister-like lesions, that can affect horses, cattle, swine, goats, deer or other animals.

Vesicular Stomatitis (VS) Confirmed in Texas Cattle

This year s outbreak of vesicular stomatitis (VS) now has been confirmed, not only in horses in Texas and New Mexico, but also in two head of cattle in Starr County, about 225 miles south of San Antonio. The Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC), the state s livestock and poultry health regulatory agency, received notification of the positive laboratory results late Tuesday, June 29.

More Vesicular Stomatitis (VS) Confirmed in Texas & New Mexico

Horses on a total of three sites in Texas and four premises in New Mexico are known to be infected with Vesicular Stomatitis (VS), a painful blistering disease of livestock, such as horses, sheep, swine and deer. The viral disease appears spontaneously and sporadically in the southwestern U.S. and is thought to be transmitted by sand flies and black flies. The VS cases this spring are the first to be confirmed since l998.