Vesicular Stomatitis Virus Detected in Shackelford County Horse

AUSTIN, TX – The Texas Animal Health Commission received confirmation of vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) in a horse on a Shackelford County premises, on August 8, 2023. The National Veterinary Services Laboratory (NVSL) in Ames, Iowa confirmed the virus as the New Jersey serotype. This confirmation marks the second case of VSV in Texas this year.

The Quarter Horse was tested following the observation of visible clinical signs of VSV, including oral lesions. The horse is being monitored and the premises will remain under quarantine until 14 days from the onset of lesions in the last affected animal on the premises. Other horses on the premises are showing clinical signs, but there are no known recent movements on or off of the premises. Epidemiological investigations are underway.

On May 17, 2023, NVSL confirmed VSV on an equine premises in San Diego County, California, marking the first case of VSV in the United States this year. Since the start of this outbreak, 177 VSV-affected premises have been identified; 174 in California, one in Nevada and two in Texas. Additionally, cases of VSV have been reported in the northern Mexican states of Chihuahua and Sonora from December 2022 to present.

“VSV can be transmitted through direct contact with infected animals; contact with virus contaminated objects, such as shared tack; or by blood-feeding insects,” said Dr. Andy Schwartz, TAHC Executive Director and State Veterinarian. Biosecurity and vector mitigation measures are a priority for preventing further disease spread.”

Vesicular stomatitis is a viral disease that primarily affects horses and cattle and occasionally swine, sheep, goats, llamas, and alpacas. VSV can cause blisters and sores in the mouth and on the tongue, muzzle, teats or hooves of susceptible animals. Additional signs of infection include fever, drooling or frothing at the mouth, reluctance to eat, lameness or laminitis if lesions develop around the coronary band. Lesions usually heal in two or three weeks, and most animals recover with supportive care by a veterinarian.

Prevention

Even with the best defense measures, VSV could infect a herd. Keep the following prevention tools in mind to help protect your livestock:
Control biting flies (fly spray, fly traps, maintaining clean pens, etc.).
Keep equine animals stalled or under a roof to reduce exposure to flies.
Feed and water stock from their individual buckets.
Don’t visit a ranch that’s under quarantine for VSV. Wait until the animals have healed.
Restrict nose-to-nose contact between horses from other premises.
Clean and disinfect tack and equipment between uses.

If You Suspect Infection

Call your private veterinarian immediately.
Separate affected horse(s) from all healthy horses on the property.
Handle all healthy animals before sick animals. After handling sick animals make sure to wash and disinfect your hands and boots, if possible, change and wash your clothes.

Some states and other countries may restrict movement of, or impose additional requirements for, equine or other susceptible animals from states having known cases of VSV. Before moving livestock, contact the state of destination for their requirements. For international export information, visit the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service website.

The TAHC will send out updates upon new confirmations of VSV in Texas. To receive email updates, sign up for the TAHC Insider equine email list. All cases will be reported to the Equine Disease Communication Center. For VSV history and past TAHC updates visit the TAHC Equine Health webpage. Nationwide situational VSV updates are available through the USDA Vesicular Stomatitis webpage.

Veterinary Guidance

If you suspect a client’s animal is infected with VSV, contact your TAHC Region Office for procedures, required paperwork and important sample submission information.

For more information about VSV and preventative measures, visit the links below:
TAHC Fact Sheet: https://www.tahc.texas.gov/news/brochures/TAHCFactsheet_VesicularStomatitis.pdf
Equine Biosecurity Guidance: https://www.tahc.texas.gov/news/brochures/TAHCBrochure_BiosecurityEquine.pdf
USDA VSV Webpage: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/animalhealth/animal-disease-information/equine/vsv/vesicular-stomatitis