The Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) has received confirmation of a second case of Vesicular Stomatitis (VS) in a horse in Nueces County in South Texas, bringing the total of positive cases to seven this year. The premises of the newest confirmed case is located 10.2 miles south of Mathis, Texas. To date, seven premises in four Texas counties have been confirmed with VS.
History
On May 28, the TAHC announced confirmation of the nation’s first case of VS this year in Kinney County, Texas (southeast of Del Rio).
Two additional cases of VS in horses in Hidalgo County in South Texas were announced on June 5 and 9. One premises was located approximately 24 miles northwest of Edinburg. The other premises was located three miles northwest of Edinburg.
On June 17, two new cases of VS were confirmed in horses in San Patricio County in South Texas. One premises is located approximately 7½ miles southeast of Mathis. The other premises is located approximately seven miles southeast of Mathis.
On June 20, a single case of VS was announced in Nueces County. The premises is located 10 miles south of Mathis, Texas.
All VS cases tested positive for the New Jersey serotype. The newly identified infected premises is currently under quarantine by the TAHC. Affected horses will be monitored by regulatory veterinarians while under quarantine. Premises are eligible for quarantine release 21 days after all lesions have healed. There is no known exposure to other horses around the state, or at any equine events.
More Information
Several states have provided the TAHC with information on enhanced entry requirements they are imposing on Texas livestock (including horses) due to the recently announced VS cases in Texas. For information about these movement restrictions, contact the state or country of destination and/or visit http://www.tahc.texas.gov/news/2014-06-05_StateRestrictionsOnTX_VS.pdf.
For more information about VS visit the TAHC’s brochure at http://tahc.texas.gov/news. A USDA-APHIS VS fact sheet is available at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/factsheetvs. For current USDA-APHIS VS situation reports visit http://alphis.usda.gov/publications.
For additional information call 512-719-0700 or contact your local TAHC region office.
Founded in 1893, the Texas Animal Health Commission works to protect the health of all Texas livestock. The TAHC strives to keep Texas’ livestock disease free, ultimately allowing for better marketability and commerce.
