On May 22, the Texas Animal Health Commission notified the public that a second property with cases of equine of vesicular stomatitis (VS) in the state had been confirmed in Reeves County, near Orla, Texas (West Texas). This is the first case of VS in Reeves County this year.
On May 19, 2015, the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) announced the state’s first property with equine VS involving three horses in Pecos County.
The newly identified infected premises is currently under quarantine by the TAHC. Affected horses will be monitored by regulatory personnel until all lesions have healed and a decision is made to release the quarantine (a minimum of 14 days). There is no known exposure to other horses around the state, or at any equine events. It is believed that the virus overwinters in the sand and black fly population in northern Mexico and then moves northward in warmer weather.
Some states and other countries may restrict movement of, or impose additional requirements for susceptible species moving from states with active cases of VS. It is important for shippers or haulers of livestock to contact states of destination well in advance of scheduled movements to determine their entry requirements. For international export information, the USDA Veterinary Services office in Austin, Texas, should be contacted.
For more information about VS, visit the TAHC’s brochure at http://www.tahc.texas.gov/news/brochures/TAHCBrochure_VS.pdf.
The USDA APHIS-VS fact sheet is available at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/publications/animal_health/content/printable_version/fs_vesicular_stomatitis_2012.pdf.
For additional information call 512-719-0700 or contact your local TAHC region office http://www.tahc.texas.gov/agency/TAHC_RegionalOfficeMap_2013.pdf.
The USDA APHIS-VS 2015 Vesicular Stomatitis Situation Report is available at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/downloads/animal_diseases/vsv/Sitrep_051915.pdf.
Founded in 1893, the Texas Animal Health Commission works to protect the health of all Texas livestock, including: cattle, swine, poultry, sheep, goats, equine animals, and exotic livestock. The TAHC strives to keep Texas’ livestock disease free, ultimately allowing for better marketability and commerce.
