OGDEN, Utah (AP) — Nine counties across Utah have quarantined livestock due to a virus that can cause painful sores in infected animals.

The Standard-Examiner reports that Utah Department of Agriculture and Food officials said Thursday that vesicular stomatitis has been found in Beaver, Carbon, Duchesne, Emery, Grand, Kane, San Juan, Uintah and Weber counties.

Department spokesman Larry Lewis says a 14-day quarantine is the main method of halting the spread of the virus.

Vesicular stomatitis primarily affects horses and cattle but can also affect sheep, goats, swine, and other animals. The disease, which is thought to be spread by insects that migrate along river valleys, can cause blisters, sores, sloughing of skin and lameness in animals.

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