By NewsDesk  @infectiousdiseasenews

The National Veterinary Services Laboratories in Ames, Iowa confirmed a finding of vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) infection (Indiana serotype) on an equine premises in Tillman County, Oklahoma on July 29.

Image/Alexas_Fotos

The seven year old horse presented with oral lesions, erosions at commissures of the mouth on July 24 when the owner had the horse examined. The horse met the case definition of infection with compatible clinical signs and complement fixation test positive results at 1:40 or greater. The clinical horse is also PCR positive for VSV-Indiana on a swab of the lesions.

Since the start of the outbreak in late June, 366 VSV-affected premises have been identified (174 confirmed positive, 192 suspect) in five states (Texas, New Mexico, Colorado and Wyoming are the others).

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Vesicular Stomatitis is a viral disease that primarily affects horses and cattle and occasionally swine, sheep, goats, llamas, and alpacas.  The transmission of VSV is not completely understood, but includes insect vectors such as black flies, sand flies, and biting midges.  The incubation period ranges from 2-8 days.  Clinical signs include vesicles, erosions, and sloughing of the skin on the muzzle, tongue, teats, and coronary bands.  Often excessive salivation is the first sign of disease, along with a reluctance to eat or drink. Lameness and weight loss may follow.