The Texas Animal Health Commission announced a confirmed case of Vesicular Stomatitis Virus (VSV) in a horse located in Kinney County.
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While several hundred miles from Colorado, the case is concerning to livestock owners in Colorado due to the potential of a northward movement of the virus throughout the summer.
The transmission of VSV is not completely understood but includes insect vectors such as black flies, sand flies, biting midges, as well as mechanical transmission and livestock movement.
Veterinarians and livestock owners who suspect an animal may have VSV or any other vesicular disease should immediately contact state or federal animal health authorities.
In concurrence with the recent report of positive vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) animals diagnosed in the United States, the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food, Animal Industry Division has implemented the following importation changes that are in effect immediately for affected states:
- All imports of horses, cattle, bison, cervids, sheep, goats, and swine, from states which have a confirmed vesicular stomatitis virus positive animal or have quarantines in place for this disease, are required to be accompanied by an entry permit number prior to import into Utah.
- The permit number will be assigned by our permitting staff and is to be listed on the Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) and will be given to the veterinarian issuing the CVI.
- A statement shall be written in the remarks section of the CVI by the issuing veterinarian that indicates that “the animals listed on the CVI have not originated from a premises or an area under quarantine for vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) or a premises on which vesicular stomatitis virus has been diagnosed in the last 30 days, or are within 10 miles of such premises; and the animals in the shipment have no signs of vesicular stomatitis viral disease.â€
Export shipments within a 10 mile radius of an infected area or premises will require an exception from the State Veterinarian’s Office.
Horses, mules, cattle, bison, sheep, goats, pigs, and camelids are all susceptible to VSV. ■