Press Release

Vesicular Stomatitis (VS) Update

Aurora, CO (May 11, 2012) - The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has confirmed two cases of Vesicular Stomatitis (VS) virus in Otero County, N.M., near the town of Tularosa, N.M., approximately 200 road miles south of Albuquerque and 75 miles north of the U.S., Mexico border. The premise, which contains a total of five horses that have not left the premise in the last 12 months, is under a 21-day quarantine that began April 28. The three unaffected horses located on the premise have been isolated from the positive animals and there are no known traceouts at this time. The New Mexico State Veterinarian's office is closely monitoring and investigating the occurrence. It is anticipated the quarantine will be lifted May 29 if there are no recurrences.

Since diagnosis, a New Mexico Livestock Board veterinarian and inspectors inspected all livestock within a one-mile radius of the index premises, which included 128 horses and 24 head of cattle on 18 different premises. No new cases of VS have been identified.

Because of the considerable distance from Albuquerque, no changes have been made to the Youth Nationals schedule, set for July 21-28 in Albuquerque, N.M., and none are anticipated. Also, the New Mexico State Veterinarian stated that the recent occurrence of EHV-1 in Tennessee should have no effect on Youth Nationals.

For the immediate time, Canadian authorities have taken precautionary measures and have imposed importation restrictions on horses from the State of New Mexico. These restrictions do not apply to U.S. horses traveling to Canada from states other than New Mexico, which in effect is business as usual.

For horses traveling from Youth Nationals or New Mexico to our Canadian Nationals in Brandon, Manitoba, August 13-18, exhibitors are asked to contact the Arabian Horse Association Competitions Department for specific details on the latest travel restrictions. Because of the length of time from now until the Canadian Nationals and the very isolated nature of this outbreak, it is hoped that there will be no restrictions by that time. The USDA APHIS website is updated with the latest on equine diseases every Wednesday afternoon throughout the summer. Here is a direct link to VS-specific information.

Additionally, in an effort to keep potentially effected exhibitors appraised of late developments, please contact the Competitions Department at (303) 696-4500 and choose option 4 or email info.comp@arabianhorses.org to be added to a list to receive the latest transportation assistance information or rules.

Return to Press Release Index