Twenty-nine cases of the contagious equine and livestock disease vesicular stomatitis have been confirmed in six counties in Colorado, including Montezuma and La Plata, according to the Colorado State Veterinarian's office.
Dr. Amanda Hawkins, of the Montezuma County Veterinary Clinic, says that five cases have been confirmed in Montezuma County. The disease is primarily transmitted through flies, which breed and lay eggs in waterways. The abundance of moisture the area has received this season has contributed to the uptick in cases, she says.
"We're definitely seeing some cases pretty close by, so fly control is definitely going to be number one - use fly spray on horses, sanitize water and food troughs. Definitely avoid co-mingling your horse with horses you don't know," she said.
Signs to look for are oral lesions, sloughing of the skin, excessive drooling and difficulty eating or drinking.
With the kickoff of the Montezuma County Fair, Hawkins says she and other area veterinarians are working with officials and coordinating VS checks at the fair to ensure equine and livestock safety and mitigate any possibility of VS spreading.
Tonya Yates, Montezuma County 4-H program coordinator, confirmed that every animal will be checked at the gate by a veterinarian for VS, and in the event it's found, the animal will be sent away. If VS is detected on the fairgrounds, a 14-day quarantine for all animals will be in place.
While the disease is extremely painful for affected animals, it isn't fatal, and usually requires quarantine and an antiseptic mouth spray until it passes.