The New Mexico Livestock Board (NMLB) is working with USDA-Veterinary Services to ensure that two cases of vesicular stomatitis (VS) discovered in a herd of five horses in Otero County remain isolated. None of the five horses has been off the property in the last 12 months
Viral infection in NM horses
Vesicular stomatitis in horses most commonly occurs during warm months in the Southwest region of the US.
Vesicular stomatitis is a viral disease which affects horses, cattle, swine and occasionally sheep and goats. Additionally, numerous species of wild animals including deer, bobcats, goats, raccoons and monkeys are susceptible. Not only can the virus causing vesicular stomatitis affect a wide variety of animals, handlers of infected animals also can become infected with vesicular stomatitis.
Vesicular stomatitis most commonly occurs during warm months in the Southwest region of the United States, particularly along river ways and in valleys.
Blister-like lesions may form in the mouth and on the dental pad, tongue, lips, nostrils, hooves and teats of infected animals. These blisters swell and break, leaving raw tissue so painful that infected animals go off feed and water, suffer mild to severe weight loss, and may show signs of lameness.
USDA-Veterinary Services and NMLB are conducting surveillance examinations of all livestock in the immediate area to make sure the infection is contained. The area is very low-density in terms of livestock population.
New Mexico State Veterinarian Dr. Dave Fly, DVM, was notified by USDA-Veterinary Services that the cases of VS were confirmed in horses kept at a property outside Tularosa, bringing the total cases to two. The property is under quarantine by order of the state veterinarian. The animals in question is among a herd of five horses; none of which has been off the property in the last 12 months.
Managers and producers of major equine shows and events are strongly encouraged to call the state veterinarian at (505) 841-6161 for guidance on how to minimize disruption of shows and events.
Livestock producers in New Mexico may have some restrictions applied to animals moving into other states or internationally. Any movement restrictions will be forwarded to New Mexico veterinarians and posted on the NMLB website: www.NMLBonline.com
For information on international shipment, please contact USDA-Veterinary Services’ Albuquerque office at (505) 761-3160.
According to USDA, it’s not fully known how VS is spread; factors include insect vectors, mechanical transmission, and movement of animals. VS is not usually fatal. The virus primarily affects cattle, horses, and pigs, causing blister-like lesions that can be painful enough to limit the animal’s eating and drinking.
According to USDA, good sanitation and quarantine practices on affected farms usually control the infection until it subsides and soon ends; affected animals typically recover in two weeks.