Texas Reported Free
Of Stomatitis Virus

AUSTIN — The Texas Animal Health Commission late last week lifted a quarantine on two Reeves County horses that had been infected with vesicular stomatitis, freeing the state from animal movement restrictions intended to prevent spread of the virus.

The condition causes painful blisters but is rarely fatal, though it may prevent afflicted animals from moving and eating. A number of states and many foreign countries restrict entry of livestock from areas where VS infections are active.

Kentucky is especially sensitive to VS, primarily because of its horse trade with Europe. Though the Texas quarantine has been lifted, Kentucky still maintains restrictions on horses and other animals from Texas, including a negative blood test within 30 days prior to entry and a certificate of veterinary inspection issued within four days prior to entry.

An embargo remains in effect on animals from Arizona, Colorado and New Mexico, which still have premises under quarantine.

Further information is available from TAHC at (800) 550-8242.