USDA Equine Disease Alert
I’m Susan Allen , The show, rodeo and racing season is upon us and many are traveling great distances to compete . When Open Range returns I have information released by the United States Department of Agriculture on an infectious disease now under quarantine. Earlier this week the USDA announced it has confirmed two cases of vesicular stomatitis virus in New Mexico, and while that’s quite a distance from the Northwest many of us rodeo or show in Canada thus you need to be aware that If you are planning on taking horses into Canada they have posted an alert stating that” Every horse entering Canada must be accompanied by official U.S. documents certifying that they have not been in New Mexico within the previous 21 days.” Two cases of the diseases were 90 miles south of Ruidoso the mecca for AQHA racing. The farm is under quarantine. Vesicular stomatitis is a viral disease that affects cattle, horses and pigs. In horses the symptoms include blister-like lesions in the mouth, tongue, lips and nose as well as along the coronary band and on the udder or sheath. Humans can also become infected when handling ill animals but this is rare. In humans it causes flu-like symptoms. Flies are belived to spread it and it can be transmitted through shared equipment like saddle pads or buckets.If you are taking horses to Canada please contact the CFIA (1-800 422-2342 or http:/www.inspection.gc.ca
