Border restrictions grow over VS outbreak in two US states

States are imposing border restrictions on stock from Texas and New Mexico as more cases of vesicular stomatitis (VS) are reported. Horses on a total of three sites in Texas and four premises in New Mexico are known to be infected VS, a painful blistering disease of livestock, such as horses, cattle, sheep, swine and deer. The symptoms mimick those of highly contagious foot and mouth disease. The viral disease appears spontaneously and sporadically in the southwestern United States and is thought to be transmitted by sand flies and black flies. Border restrictions are growing daily. At least 13 states have so far imposed an array of restrictions on livestock orginating from Texas. Canada has restrictions in place affecting both Texas and New Mexico livestocks. Authorities urge livestock owners to make appropriate checks before moving any livestock out of the two affected states...Horsetalk