Vesicular Stomatitis Diagnosed in TX Cattle

Dear CDQAP Partners, In addition to cases in horses, Vesicular Stomatitis has now been diagnosed in cattle in Texas. Producers should be extremely cautious about importing livestock in from States which are currently experiencing outbreaks of this disease. At this time this would mean Texas and New Mexico. At very least imported cattle should have been examined by an accredited veterinarian and include the required VS statement on the Health Certificate. WHY SHOULD I CARE? State and Federal regulatory officials work to keep Vesicular Stomatitis from becoming established in the United States because of its similarity to Foot and Mouth Disease (and other diseases of concern), its negative impact on livestock production, and its public health implications. Vesicular Stomatitis is a viral disease which effects a number of different species including horses, cattle, and swine. In affected livestock the disease causes blisters and sores in and on the mouth, feet and teats. The sores can be so painful that infected animals refuse to eat and drink and show signs of lameness. Weight loss and (in dairy cows) a severe drop in milk production can follow. Just as important as the drop in production is the fact that the disease is clinically identical to Foot and Mouth Disease. Vesicular stomatitis is recognized internationally as a reportable disease. Exports of U.S. livestock and animal products would be restricted if vesicular stomatitis were allowed to spread in this country. Introduction of Vesicular Stomatitis into California could cause very real financial losses to producers and to the State's entire industry. Any animals exhibiting any suspicious clinical signs should be immediately reported to your Veterinarian and the California Department of Food and Agriculture. For additional information on Vesicular Stomatitis see USDA webpage. http://www.aphis.usda.gov/lpa/pubs/fsheet_faq_notice/fs_ahvs.html Please feel free to share this information with your producers.