Colorado animal health officials have confirmed several additional vesicular stomatitis (VS) cases in horses in that state, while the number of quarantines in Texas continues to decrease.

The viral disease can cause blisters and sores in the mouth and on the tongue, muzzle, teats, or hooves of horses, cattle, swine, sheep, goats, llamas, and a number of other animals. Lesions usually will heal in two or three weeks. Because of the contagious nature of VS and its resemblance to other diseases such as foot and mouth disease, animal health officials urge livestock owners and caretakers to report these symptoms to their veterinarian immediately. Most animals recover well with supportive care by a veterinarian, but some lesions can be painful.

Texas—Since the Oct. 1 update, the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) has not received confirmation of any new VS cases in that state. Four premises in Bastrop County and all premises in McLennan County have been released from quarantine.

To date, 62 premises in 13 Texas counties have been confirmed with VS. Quarantines remain in Bastrop, Guadalupe, and Travis counties