05/21/2023
Hello all. The following was sent to us from ECLAP. At this point we will be taking preventive measures suggested by the National Veterinary Services Laboratories. We ask our boarders to help out and also follow the preventive measures. We will supply a bottle of bleach solution at common areas. If we have a case on or near our ranch we will upgrade to the NVSL suggestions related to where a horse resides and stop taking horses off and on the Ranch. At this point we will not allow any new horses on the Ranch until they have quarantined for 14 days. Please review the following info. Thanks for your help. Please contact Shauna , Andrew or Brandy if you have any questions or concerns
From National Vetinary Seevices Laboratory:
On May 17, 2023, the National Veterinary Services Laboratories in Ames, Iowa, confirmed a finding of vesicular stomatitis on an equine premises in San Diego County, California.
In addition to this confirmed case, samples have been submitted from multiple horses in East County with suspected VS. These results are still pending.
Vesicular Stomatitis Virus affects horses, cattle and swine. The virus causes blister-like lesions to form in the mouth and on the dental pad, tongue, lips, nostrils, hooves, and teats. These blisters swell and break, leaving raw tissue that is so painful that infected animals generally refuse to eat and drink and show signs of lameness. Severe weight loss usually follows. In horses, vesicular lesions generally occur on the upper surface of the tongue, the lips, the corners of the mouth, and the gums, as well as around the nostrils. The lesions in horses may also appear as crusting scabs on the muzzle, lips, ears, coronary bands, sheath, udder, or ventral abdomen.
What to do if your livestock animal (horse/cattle/swine) presents with clinical signs of VSV:
Use gloves if examining the oral cavity of your horse/cattle or feet of affected swine
Call your veterinarian. They can assist with assessment, supportive care and inform you if your animal needs to be tested.
Do not travel with or re-locate your livestock animal, unless a veterinarian has cleared you to do so.
Isolate your animal from other horses and livestock until a veterinarian has directed you otherwise.
Avoid unnecessary human to suspect animal contact.
How is it spread?
Biting insects, animal movements, and moving the virus on objects are all factors. The most common method of transmission is through biting insects. Once the disease is introduced into a herd, it may move from animal to animal by contact or exposure to saliva or fluid from ruptured vesicles. Humans can contract vesicular stomatitis by coming into contact with lesions, saliva, or nasal secretions from infected animals. In people, the disease causes an acute influenza-like illness with symptoms such as fever, muscle aches, headache, and malaise. To avoid exposure to this disease, individuals should use personal protective measures when handling affected animals
What to do if there is a confirmed or suspected infection at the location where your horse/cattle/swine resides:
Prevent direct contact with affected animal
Use as many fly control measures as possible (feed through IGR such as simplify or solitude, fly spray, fly predators, manure removal, fly masks that cover ears, fly sheets, fly boots, etc.)
Properties will likely be quarantined (no in or out movement for 14 days since onset of clinical signs - with each subsequent affected case the 14 day count starts back over).
DON'T PANIC
How do I prevent my animal from getting Vesicular Stomatitis:
FLY CONTROL!
There is currently no vaccine available for VS
Avoid common water or feed troughs to help prevent spread.
Clean common surfaces with accelerated hydrogen peroxide or commercial disinfectants that contain chlorine bleach (0.645%). Sunlight is known to kill VSV
Avoid pasture grazing (increased insect exposure)
Can I still travel to horse shows?
Minimizing movement of horses will help contain this disease.
The show managers and state officials are able to decide if they will allow horses from affected counties to enter premise/state. Please consult with your veterinarian prior to travel.
Stabling facilities may decide to go into lockdown (no in or out movement) even if there is not a suspected case on the premises, in order to prevent excessive exposure.
If a horse is suspected positive at a horse show, the horses on premises may be subjected to quarantine on site for a minimum of 14 days.
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