Louisiana DAF Animal Health Advisory on Vesicular Stomatitis

Due to an increasing number of confirmed Vesicular Stomatitis (VS) cases in Texas, Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry animal health officials are imposing enhanced requirements on livestock entering Louisiana from a state that has diagnosed cases of VS.

VS Requirements: Any livestock (equine, bovine, porcine, caprine or ovine) entering Louisiana from a county where VS has been diagnosed within the last thirty (30) days must be accompanied by a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection written within ten (10) days of entry containing the following statement: “All animals identified on this certificate have been examined and found free from signs of VS, have not been exposed to VS, and have not originated from a premises which is under quarantine for VS.”

VS is a viral disease that primarily affects horses and cattle but can also affect swine, sheep, goats, deer, llamas and alpacas.

State animal health officials say symptoms of VS may start as excessive salivation and then progress to blisters and crusty sores in the mouth and on the lips, nostrils, coronary band, prepuce, vulva, and teats and the disease may be spread by direct contact with infected animals or by biting insects.The disease is rarely fatal.

Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) announced recently the nation’s first case of VS for the year in horses. The disease was detected in five horses in southwest Texas. Since that time more Texas counties have identified cases of VS with a total of 10 confirmed cases in Kinney, Hidalgo, Nueces and San Patricio counties. The six affected premises in those counties are currently under quarantine by the TAHC.

The disease is reportable to the Louisiana State Veterinarian’s Office at 225-925-3980 or to the USDA District Office at 601-936-8580.

For more information about VS visit http://www.tahc.state.tx.us/news/brochures/TAHCBrochure_VS.pdf. A 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 current USDA-APHIS VS situation reports visit this page.

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, 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.

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