Vesicular Stomatitis (VS)
- Vesicular Stomatitis
(Factsheet)
New Mexico and Texas No Longer Affected By Vesicular Stomatitis (VS)
New Mexico is now considered free of Vesicular Stomatitis (VS). The last affected premises in Valencia County was released from quarantine on Tuesday, August 18th and there are no other suspected cases being investigated. Hoofed livestock from New Mexico are no longer required to comply with the additional VS restrictions necessary for movement into Florida.
Texas, the only other state to be affected by VS this year, was declared free of the disease earlier this month. With New Mexico and Texas no longer affected by VS, the United States is again considered free of VS which is considered a foreign animal disease.
Vesicular Stomatitis is a highly contagious, viral disease that affects horses, cattle, swine and occasionally sheep, goats and deer. The virus can also cause flu-like symptoms in people working with infected animals. Signs of Vesicular Stomatitis include blister-like lesions in the mouth, on the tongue, lips, nostrils, hooves and teats. While the virus is rarely fatal, it does result in significant weight loss and milk production loss. It is also difficult to distinguish between this virus and foot and mouth disease, a devastating livestock disease found outside the United States. States and other countries often impose movement restrictions on animals from Vesicular Stomatitis affected areas.
For additional information on Vesicular Stomatitis, please refer to the following USDA web site at: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/nahss/equine/vsv/index.htm
