BY: Samantha Bartlett, DVM
An outbreak of vesicular stomatitis virus has spread to seven states including Kansas, Missouri, Arizona, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas. As of August 13, 2020, fifteen premises in eleven Kansas counties and 16 premises in 8 Missouri counties remain under quarantine. Most of the cases involve equine but a few bovine cases have been reported.
VSV is a reportable disease and any suspected cases should be reported to the state veterinarian or the USDA area veterinarian in charge. Any premises with confirmed or suspected cases of VSV are placed under quarantine for 14 days from the onset of symptoms in the last diagnosed animal on the premises. VSV primarily affects horses, but can also infect cattle, sheep, goats, swine, llamas and alpacas. The Department of Agriculture encourages all owners of hooved livestock to be vigilant for signs of disease in their animals.
VSV in horses usually presents with crusting scabs and lesions on the muzzle, lips, ears, coronary bands and ventral abdomen. Other symptoms include fever and blister lesions in the mouth, gingiva, tongue, lips, nostrils, ears, hooves and teats. Rarely, humans can acquire the disease through the handling of infected animals and develop flu-like symptoms. IN horses, the virus usually runs a course in 5 to 7 days. It can take an additional 7 days for the animal to fully recover.
VSV is transmitted through biting insects such as flies and midges. Aggressive measures to control insects around animal housing can help prevent spread of the virus. The virus also spreads between animals through nose to nose contact so it is important to isolate infected animals.
Other states are likely to increase vigilance on livestock imports. It is important to speak with the animal health authority in the transport destination for the latest regulations before shipping livestock.
More information can be found online:
• Kansas Department of Agriculture
