Articles: Horse News
New Mexico Reports More Cases of Vesicular Stomatitis
Contact:
Texas Animal Health Commission
"Serving Texas Animal Agriculture Since 1893"
2105 Kramer Lane ~ Austin, Texas 78758
512.719.0710 ~ bonnie.ramirez@tahc.state.tx.us ~ http://www.tahc.state.tx.us
For more information contact the Public Information office at
1-800-550-8242, ext. 710 or at bonnie.ramirez@tahc.state.tx.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 21, 2012
AUSTIN - In May, Vesicular Stomatitis (VS) was detected in two horses in
Otero County in New Mexico. The horses were sampled after vesicular lesions
were observed on both animals.
To date, 11 premises are now under quarantine. The counties of Otero,
Valencia, Socorro and San Miguel have confirmed positive VS cases. The
counties of Dona Ana and Roosevelt have also had suspect cases. The counties
of Bernalillo and Santa Fe are considered high risk for cases of VS.
According to the New Mexico State Veterinarian, based on the current
findings of VS in the area: Where out of state livestock are a part of a
public event such as roping, racing, breeding or other forms of public
exhibition or traveling interstate, a health certificate (CVI) written
within five days of entering the show will be required for all New Mexico
origin livestock. The following statement is to appear on the CVI: "The
animals represented on this certificate have not originated from a premises
or area under quarantine for Vesicular Stomatitis (VS), or a premises on
which VS has been diagnosed in the past 21 days. I have examined these
animals and have not observed lesions or clinical signs of VS".
The Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) prohibits entry of animals from VS
quarantined premises, and also requires livestock to be accompanied by a
valid certificate of veterinary inspection.
VS can cause blisters and sores in the mouth and on the tongue, muzzle,
teats or hooves of horses, cattle, swine, sheep, goats, llamas and a number
of other animals. Lesions usually will heal in two or three weeks. Because
the signs of VS mimic those of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), animal health
officials strongly urge livestock owners and caretakers to report potential
cases of VS to their private veterinary practitioner or state livestock
health officials.
TAHC officials encourage livestock owners to use the best means possible to
limit exposure of their livestock to insect bites. It is theorized that
insects are an important vector in the transmission of VS.
For more information on Texas entry requirements, visit
http://www.tahc.state.tx.us/regs/entry.html or call 1-800-550-8242 and ask
for the Permits Department.
A USDA APHIS-VS fact sheet about Vesicular Stomatitis is available at
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/publications/animal_health/content/printable_version/fs_vesicular_stomatitis_2012.pdf
Founded in 1893, the Texas Animal Health Commission works to protect the
health of all Texas livestock, including: cattle, swine, poultry, sheep,
goats, equine animals, and exotic livestock.
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