Vesicular Stomatitis In New Mexico
Not long after the first reported case of vesicular stomatitis (VS) of 2009 in Texas, the disease has now also been identified in De Baca County, New Mexico. It's not too surprising, because infectious diseases tend not to pay attention to state boundaries, and New Mexico tends to be one of the first states affected by VS during outbreak years. Reportedly, only a single horse has been infected in New Mexico so far, and the farm involved has been quarantined.
This will presumably result in many regions placing travel or import restrictions on horses from New Mexico, as was done with horses from Texas. Previously in some years when this disease has been detected in the US, it has been contained to a single state. During other years, multi-state outbreaks involving large numbers of horses have occur. Only time will tell what this year will bring.
People that live in or adjacent to areas where vesicular stomatitis is present should closely observe their horses for signs of this disease, including:
- Drooling
- Lesions in the mouth, ranging from raised, white lesions to blisters. After lesions rupture, ulcerated areas are present.
- Swelling, inflammation and lesions around the coronary band (these are less common than mouth lesions).
This disease is primarily spread by insects, so direct contact with an infected horse is not required for disease transmission. Therefore, even closed herds need to be on the lookout. If signs consistent with vesicular stomatitis are found, movement of horses on and off the property should immediately cease and a veterinarian should be contacted as soon as possible.
