New Mexico Livestock Disease Prompts
Call For Caution in Utah
For specific information contact Dr. Bruce King at bking@utah.gov/
(Salt Lake City) – Utah livestock owners are urged to take extra precautions this summer to prevent the spread of Vesicular Stomatitis (VS), a Foreign Animal Disease that is rarely fatal, but can cause economic losses to producers. In unusual cases Vesicular Stomatitis can be transmitted to humans.
"Currently there is an outbreak of VS in the state of New Mexico, and we are alerting owners of horses, cattle, sheep, and other livestock in Utah to take precautions to protect their animals," said State Veterinarian, Dr. Bruce King. "There is no need to alter or cancel any livestock shows or events because of this development in New Mexico," King added.
Symptoms in humans may include fever, muscle aches, headache and malaise. Vesicles are rare, but can occasionally be found on the mouth, lips or hands. Most people recover without complications in four to seven days. Humans can become infected when handling affected animals, contaminated fomites, tissues, blood or virus cultures. To prevent infection, protective clothing and gloves should be used when handling infected animals.
Livestock owners in Utah are advised to closely monitor the health status of animals that may come in contact with their animals.
The disease has been shown to be transmitted by a number of biting insects, 'no- seeums', midges or
other biting insects. Animals primarily affected are those in living in pastures. The particular strain currently circulating does not appear to have been in New Mexico previously. The last significant outbreak of VS was in 2005.
We therefore have a large susceptible population of livestock, and reports are this virus strain is causing significant lesions in affected animals. This current virus appears to be more virulent that previous outbreaks. Several animals have experienced severe lesions and in some cases significant supportive care has been required for infected animals.
Organizers of events involving out of state livestock from New Mexico are required to obtain a Health Certificate (CVI) for the animals written within 48 hours of entering the show.
Vesicular Stomatitis Update
New Mexico is continuing to experience positive cases of Vesicular Stomatitis (VS). This disease is classified as a Foreign Animal Disease and therefore requires case reporting both nationally and internationally.
Currently eleven premises are under quarantine. The counties of Otero, Valencia, Socorro and San Miguel have positive confirmed cases. The counties of Dona Ana and Roosevelt have had suspect cases. The counties of Bernalillo and Santa Fe are considered high risk for cases of VS.
Based on the current understanding of the disease and consultation with USDA researchers knowledgeable of the pathogenesis of this virus, New Mexico can expect to experience continued cases in livestock throughout the summer and fall seasons. The disease Vesicular Stomatitis can be expected to occur primarily but not limited to, areas along rivers, streams, irrigated pastures and lakes or other bodies of standing water. While most cases are reported in horses this virus readily infects all species of livestock.
Precautions are indicated when handling suspect livestock. Dr. Paul Ettestad , NM Dept of Health has suggested the following:
In people, vesicular stomatitis is uncommon, but can cause an acute illness that resembles influenza. The incubation period is usually three to four days, but it can be as short as 24 hours or as long as six days.
The livestock community is urged to closely follow the below listed recommendations.
1. All livestock producers in New Mexico are cautioned to keep close observation of their livestock. Excessive drooling, lip and oral ulcers, blisters or vesicles in the lip area, loss of epithelial tissue in the oral cavity are primary signs of this disease. Where the disease is suspected producers need to contact their veterinarian immediately.
2. Event organizers are asked to work closely with a veterinarian to be sure all livestock entering public events are free of the disease. The finding of a positive animal at an event requires immediate quarantine of all livestock attending the event.
The objective is to limit the disease to infected premises and not increase exposure by moving infected livestock.
3.Where out of state livestock are a part of the event a Health certificate (CVI) written within two days of entering the show will be required for all New Mexico origin livestock.
The following statement is to appear on the CVI:
"The animals represented on this certificate have not originated from a premises or area under quarantine for Vesicular Stomatitis (VS), or a premises on which VS has been diagnosed in the past 21 days. I have examined these animals and have not observed lesions or clinical signs of VS."
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posted: June 21, 2012