A Montezuma County horse tested positive for vesicular stomatitis virus, a contagious livestock disease spread by insects causing painful, blister-like sores in horses and cattle, according to the Colorado State Veterinarian Office and the state’s Department of Agriculture.
It is the first case for Colorado equine this year as of May 7. It infected one out of five horses on a farm, and a news release states two other horses are showing clinical signs.
CDA is working closely with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Colorado veterinary department diagnostic laboratory, and public health to respond to the detection and protect other people and animals. While a chance of outbreak is believed to be low, the state veterinarian is cautioning livestock owners to monitor animals for viral signs, usually occurring two to eight days after exposure.
Health officials are continuing to monitor an outbreak occurring in Arizona since last October. Fifteen viral cases were reported across six counties last year in Arizona, which affected only horse herds that have since been released from quarantining. According to the department’s report, the Montezuma County horse and premises were quarantining May 7 for 14 days.
The virus occasionally affects sheep, goats, pigs, llamas and alpacas and is transmitted through biting insects, such as black flies, sand flies and biting midges, or by direct contact with an infected animal or contaminated objects. It may affect people, but it is rare.
Observations include looking for blister-like lesions around the mouth, nose, ears or feet that appear similar to foot and mouth disease. The animal may have a fever before or after blistering.
“Equine and livestock owners should monitor their animals for blisters and report any suspected cases to their veterinarian, who will then coordinate with our office for testing and follow-up,” said Maggie Baldwin, Colorado state veterinarian, in a news release.
The department said drooling and excessive salvation is the first indicator of disease coinciding with a lack of appetite or reluctance to eat and drink. Lameness or weightiness may also follow.
According to Emily Lockard, county director of the Colorado State University Extension office, animal health officials emphasize the importance of animal biosecurity to prevent the virus or other diseases from spreading.
“You want to avoid the use of cleaning or feeding tools from some other locations where you are exposing different horses, such as a water trough,” Lockard said.
Other preventable measures from the CDA involve strict fly control. Isolating new horses or sick horses from herds is another tactic.
If moving livestock between states, the CDA recommends contacting health officials from other states to confirm all health certificate requirements are met – as some places may impose restrictions.
Though death is rare with the virus, it may impact animal travel and trade internationally, which can bring economic loss for livestock producers.
“Having an index case in Colorado also may impact interstate and international movement of equine and livestock,” Baldwin said. “Please contact your veterinarian to ensure you meet the most up-to-date movement requirements.”
Warmer months and conditions are more prone to outbreaks. According to U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, outbreaks in the Southwest have occurred since 1995 – with the most severe, widespread outbreak in 2019.
awatson@the-journal.com
