Colorado equine facilities quarantined for vesicular stomatitis

The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has placed two equine facilities in Colorado under quarantine following presumptive positive cases of vesicular stomatitis (VSV). The affected premises are located in Delta County and Montezuma County.

Vesicular stomatitis is a seasonal viral disease transmitted by biting midges that affects horses, donkeys, mules, cattle, swine, and New World camelids. The virus causes characteristic vesicular lesions, including blisters, crusts, and ulcerations on the lips, muzzle, nose, tongue, ears, and other areas. Clinical signs may include excessive salivation, difficulty chewing, and lameness due to painful erosions on the coronary band.

Diagnosis is initially based on the recognition of these lesions, with confirmation requiring laboratory testing for serum antibodies or virus identification in fluid samples. Veterinarians are mandated to report suspected cases to state and federal animal health officials.