Vesicular Stomatitis (VS) Update: 248 Colorado Quarantines Since Beginning of Outbreak

Colorado.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: September 4, 2014

Contacts:
Veterinarians and Livestock Owners: State Veterinarian’s Office, (303) 869-9130
Media: Christi Lightcap, (303) 869-9005, Christi.Lightcap@state.co.us


Vesicular Stomatitis (VS): 248 Colorado Quarantines Since Beginning of Outbreak

Guidelines for Livestock Shows, Fairs, Exhibitions, and Events

BROOMFIELD, Colo. – As of 9/4/2014, the Colorado Department of Agriculture’s State Veterinarian’s Office has 208 locations under quarantine after horses and cows tested positive for Vesicular Stomatitis (VS); 40 of the 248 quarantines have now been released.

“The number of quarantined premises is actually going down in some counties as horses are healing and the quarantines are being released. We continue to see new cases so continue to ramp up your fly control. The State Veterinarian’s Office is following up on reports of horse owners who have moved their horses out of a quarantined facility. If requirements of the quarantine are not followed, the Department will investigate, write citations for violations, and institute fines according to the Livestock Health Act in State statute,” said State Veterinarian, Dr. Keith Roehr.

If you plan to transport your horse to another state, be sure to check with the State Veterinarian's Office in the state of destination as to any special new restrictions for movement of your horse into their state. Some states have instituted new requirements for the import of Colorado horses due to the VS outbreak.

VS can be painful for animals and costly to their owners. The virus typically causes oral blisters and sores that can be painful causing difficulty in eating and drinking. In Colorado, there have been 344 horses and 7 cows that tested positive for VS.

County totals for premises under quarantine are:

· Adams – 10 (1 released)

· Boulder – 61 (10 released)

· Broomfield – 2

· Douglas – 1

· El Paso – 1

· Jefferson – 16

· Larimer – 65

· Morgan - 1

· Weld – 51 (29 released)

For more info, see:
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