Carla Everett,
Texas Animal Health Commission, 1-800-550-8242
Utah has two confirmed cases of VS…
On June 17, 2005, the National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) in
Ames, IA, confirmed the finding of vesicular stomatitis (VS)
in a horse on a premises in Garfield County, Utah. This is the
first confirmed case of vesicular stomatitis in the State of Utah in 2005.
Utah had no cases of vesicular stomatitis in 2004.
The two affected horses were taken on a pleasure ride on May 22nd in the
southeastern part of the State along the Escalante river where the owner
noticed an abundance of biting flies and insects. The owner first noticed
the animals were sick a little over a week later on May 31.
A subsequent case of vesicular stomatitis also was diagnosed by NVSL on
June 17 in a horse on a premises in Davis county, UT. Vesicular stomatitis
has not been seen in this part of the State in past outbreaks.
The USDA’s latest reports indicate 17 premises are under VS quarantine
in Arizona; and 1 each are under quarantine in New Mexico and Texas.
Prior to moving livestock to other states, ensure you have met all entry
requirements. Contact information for state veterinarians’ offices and updated
reports are available on the TAHC web site at http://www.tahc.state.tx.us.
As always, if animals on your premises exhibit blistering, sores or excessive
drooling, contact your private veterinarian or state veterinarian’s office. In Texas,
the 24-hour number for the Texas Animal Health Commission is 1-800-550-8242.
