APHA Regional Shows Postponed Due to Contagious Disease Outbreaks

Concerns about recent confirmed cases of contagious equine viruses have spurred several organization to postpone APHA-approved shows scheduled for May 9–10. The Arizona Paint Horse Club will postpone its Summer Celebration show in Scottsdale due to confirmed local cases of Vesicular Stomatitis Virus. The Southwest Washington Paint Horse Club will postpone its ColorPalooza show in Albany, Oregon, due to confirmed cases of Equine Herpesvirus-1 in Oregon.

Vesicular Stomatitis Virus
Vesicular Stomatitis Virus (VSV) has been confirmed in two horses in Maricopa County, Arizona. VSV is a contagious virus causing blister-like sores on the mouths, noses and sometimes feet of infected animals. The VSV-affected horses are quarantined, and the Arizona Department of Agriculture is testing animals from a total of eight locations in Maricopa County, according to the agency’s May 1 press release. 

“Vesicular Stomatitis Virus mainly affects equine and to a lesser extent cattle and swine,” Arizona State Veterinarian Dr. Perry Durham said. “It can be painful for animals and costly to deal with.

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