{"id":9277,"date":"2020-04-24T15:59:32","date_gmt":"2020-04-24T21:59:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ebarrelracing.com\/articles\/?p=9277"},"modified":"2020-04-24T16:02:26","modified_gmt":"2020-04-24T22:02:26","slug":"vesicular-stomatitis-detected-in-starr-county-horses-first-cases-of-vsv-in-texas-this-year","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ebarrelracing.com\/articles\/industry\/vesicular-stomatitis-detected-in-starr-county-horses-first-cases-of-vsv-in-texas-this-year\/","title":{"rendered":"Vesicular Stomatitis Detected in Starr County Horses"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"Texas Animal Health Commission
\n\u201cServing Texas Animal Agriculture Since 1893\u201d
\nAndy Schwartz, DVM Executive Director
\nP.O. Box l2966 Austin, Texas 78711 (800) 550-8242 www.tahc.texas.gov<\/a>
\nFor more information contact the Public Information Dept. at 512-719-0750 or at public_info@tahc.texas.gov<\/a><\/p>\n

First Cases of VSV in Texas This Year<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n

AUSTIN, TX<\/strong> \u2013 Vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) was confirmed in horses on two Starr County premises on April 23, 2020. The National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) confirmed the virus as the New Jersey serotype. These confirmations mark the first cases of VSV in Texas this year.\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

The horses were tested after the individual owners observed lesions on the horses\u2019 muzzles and contacted their veterinary practitioners. The animals are being monitored and the premises will remain under state quarantine until 14 days from the onset of lesions in the last affected animal on the premises.<\/p>\n

\u201cVSV is spread by direct contact with infected animals or spread by insect vectors like black flies, sand flies, and biting midges,\u201d said Dr. Andy Schwartz, TAHC Executive Director. “The epidemiological investigations on the VSV-positive premises indicate that VSV-infected insects are likely the source of infection on these premises. Biosecurity measures and vector mitigation have been instituted to reduce the spread of the virus.”<\/p>\n

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 will heal in two or three weeks, and most animals recover with supportive care by a veterinarian.<\/p>\n

Prevention<\/h3>\n

Even with the best defensive measures, VSV could infect a herd. However, these tips may help protect livestock:<\/p>\n