APHIS press release@ Vesicular Stomatitis

["Thomas, Barb" <thomas@amgen.com>]

The following is excerpted from a press release from APHIS which may be
of concern to those in the New Mexico area.

     TULAROSA, N. Mex., May 19, 1998--State officials have found
vesicular stomatitis in two horses at a stable in Otero County, N. Mex.

The state of New Mexico has issued a quarantine on the affected stable
and farm.  APHIS officials diagnosed the disease and are working with
state and local animal health authorities to investigate the source of
the
isolated cases.  APHIS is a part of USDA's marketing and regulatory
programs mission area.

     "We want to cover all the bases to ensure that this disease doesn't
spread," said Steven England, New Mexico's state veterinarian.  "The
quarantine may be lifted 30 days after the last infected animal's
lesions
have healed." 

     Vesicular stomatitis is a sporadic, reemerging viral disease
characterized by blister-like lesions in the mouth and on the lips,
nostrils,
teats, and coronary bands.  How the disease spreads is not fully known;
insect vectors and movement of animals may be responsible. 

     For more information about the cases and state quarantine, call
John
Wortman, director of the New Mexico Livestock Board, on (505)
841-4000

Barb