media release

Colorado Department of Agriculture

www.colorado.gov/ag

www.facebook.com/coloradoag

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 22, 2012

Contact: Christi Lightcap, (303) 239-4190, Christi.lightcap@ag.state.co.us

New Requirement for Various Livestock Entering Colorado from New Mexico

Vesicular Stomatitis Guidelines for Livestock Shows, Fairs, Exhibitions, and Events

LAKEWOOD, Colo. – New Mexico has reported that 11 premises are now under quarantine for Vesicular Stomatitis (VS) within their state. In order to limit the spread of the virus, the Colorado Department of Agriculture’s State Veterinarian’s Office has issued a new requirement for horses, mules, cattle, bison, sheep, goats, swine, and camelids entering the state from New Mexico.

The new requirement states that health certificates should include the following statement from the issuing veterinarian, “I have examined the animal(s) represented on this Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) and have found no signs of vesicular stomatitis and they have not originated from a premises under quarantine for vesicular stomatitis."

“The purpose of this new requirement is to ensure that veterinarians issuing health certificates are aware of the spread of Vesicular Stomatitis and are vigilant in looking for signs of the virus. VS can be painful for the animals and costly to their owners,” said State Veterinarian, Dr. Keith Roehr. “While this virus does not typically cause death, the animal can suffer from painful sores so it is important to monitor herds for symptoms.”

The primary spread of VS is thought to occur through insects that migrate along river valleys. Colorado livestock owners are warned to take added precautions due to the proximity of the virus.

Veterinarians and livestock owners who suspect an animal may have VS or any other vesicular disease should immediately contact State or Federal animal health authorities. Livestock with symptoms of VS are isolated until they are cleared through the US Department of Agriculture diagnostic laboratory testing. There are no USDA approved vaccines for VS.

While rare, human cases of VS can occur, usually among those who handle infected animals. VS in humans can cause flu-like symptoms and only rarely includes lesions or blisters.

Vesicular Stomatitis (VS) Signs and Transmission

VS susceptible species include horses, cattle, sheep, pigs, deer and other species of animals. The clinical signs of the disease include blisters in the mouth and above the hoof, erosions and sloughing of the skin on the muzzle, tongue, teats and above the hooves of susceptible livestock. Vesicles are usually only seen early in the course of the disease.

Tips for Livestock Owners

Strict fly control is an important factor to inhibit the transmission of the disease.
Avoid transferring feeding equipment, cleaning tools or health care equipment from other herds.
Colorado livestock owners should contact the state of destination when moving livestock interstate to ensure that all entry requirements are met. A list of contact information for all state veterinarians’ offices is available at: http://www.colorado.gov/ag/animals.
Colorado fairs, livestock exhibitions, and rodeos may institute new entry requirements based on the extent and severity of the current VS outbreak. Be sure to stay informed of any new livestock event requirements.

The Colorado State Veterinarian’s Office is recommending that Colorado livestock shows, fairs, exhibitions, and events exercise extra precautionary measures to minimize the transmission of VS. The following strategies are recommended:

Participants from New Mexico, when possible, should arrive at the event with a health certificate that was issued within 48 hours of departure for the event.
For New Mexico participants, the health certificate must contain a statement from the issuing veterinarian that states; “I have examined the animal(s) represented on this Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) and have found no signs of vesicular stomatitis and they have not originated from a premises under quarantine for vesicular stomatitis."
New Mexico livestock participants that arrive without a CVI issued within 48 hours should receive an oral inspection for VS lesions upon arrival at the event. A qualified, licensed, and accredited veterinarian should oversee and direct the veterinary inspections. If any animal is suspected of VS the animals should be immediately removed from the event and reported to the State Veterinarian’s Office at 303-239-4161. Affected Colorado livestock will be returned to their premises and quarantined. Out-of-state livestock will be taken to a predetermined isolation facility where they will be held until an appropriate quarantine site can be identified.

During the event, important VS disease prevention procedures include minimizing the sharing of water and feed/equipment, applying insect repellent daily (especially to the animals ears), and closely observing animals for signs of vesicular stomatitis.

For additional information, contact the Colorado State Veterinarian’s office at 303-239-4161. To view the current location of cases and other important updates and information, visit

http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/nahss/equine/vsv/.

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