Colorado Confirms More Than 2 Dozen Cases Of Animal Virus

DENVER (AP) — Colorado officials are asking ranchers to report sick animals after a disease that primarily affects horses and cattle has been confirmed in the state. The state Department of Agriculture has confirmed more than two dozen cases of the vesicular stomatitis virus as of last week.

Department officials say a veterinarian confirmed the state's first case this year in Weld County on July 3.

Cases have also been confirmed in La Plata and Larimer counties.

The animals affected have been quarantined.

Symptoms of the disease include excessive salivation, lesions, lack of appetite and lameness.

The department says the virus can occasionally affect other animals like pigs, sheep, goats and llamas.

The virus can also spread to humans but the department says it rarely does.

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