New Mexico has been removed from the Kentucky list of vesicular stomatitis (VS)-embargoed states. Robert Stout, DVM, Kentucky state veterinarian, wrote the following in a letter to New Mexico’s state veterinarian posted on the Kentucky Department of Agriculture’s (KDA) web site: “Our removal of New Mexico from the list of embargoed states is based on information received from your office and the USDA’s Veterinary Service that New Mexico is no longer experiencing active cases of vesicular stomatitis, and there are no premises currently under quarantine as a result of past infection. In addition, our conversations with veterinary officials in New Mexico during the recent past indicate there are no premises being investigated for infection that are described as probable based on clinical findings.” New Mexico’s first 2004 VS case was confirmed on June 4, at which time quarantines and embargoes were established.

Colorado is the only state remaining under Kentucky’s VS embargo. Stout added, “Conversations we have had with veterinary officials in Colorado suggest that they too will be declared free of vesicular stomatitis in the next few days.” Cases in Colorado began showing up in late June 2004 in Colorado, with quarantines beginning in early July