CARLSBAD — New Mexico livestock owners are being urged to take precautions against a severe strain of a virus that causes outbreaks in horses and other animals.

The New Mexico Livestock Board and the state veterinarian Thursday warned owners, particularly those who have livestock along the Rio Grande River, that there was a possible spreading of vesicular stomatitis.

“The virus can be transmitted to livestock by biting on flies or mosquitoes. It’s difficult to control,” Uhrig explained, adding that taking livestock into the areas where the virus has been found probably is not a wise thing. Read More…