According to Drovers Cattle Network, veterinarians and producers should be on the lookout for signs of vesicular stomatitis (VS), which has been identified in Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Texas and Utah.
Areas that test positive for VS infected animals will be quarantined until the disease clears. This year, 25 premises have been confirmed with VS and 29 are suspected.
The virus is spread primarily by insects, particularly in areas where wet conditions encourage insect populations. It can affect equines, cattle, bison, sheep, goats, pigs and camelids. Symptoms include vesicles, erosions and sloughing of the skin on the muzzle, tongue, teats and above the hooves.
When a definite diagnosis is made on a farm, USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) suggests veterinarians and producers should separate animals with lesions from healthy animals, avoid moving animals from affected premises, implement on-farm insect control programs and use personal protective measures when handling affected animals.