Only 57 premises remain under quarantine for vesicular stomatitis (VS) in the United States today (Nov. 10), signaling that the disease continues to decline. Nearly 440 ranches and farms have reported outbreaks of the disease since April. Colorado, Montana, and Wyoming have reported new VS premises since the end of October. Nebraska released the last of three previously quarantined VS premises today.

Vesicular stomatitis primarily affects cattle, horses, and swine, causing blisters on lips, tongues, and coronary bands. The blisters enlarge and break, leaving raw tissue that is so painful the animals generally refuse to eat or drink, and they become lame. Severe weight loss usually follows. The disease is thought to be spread by insects