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Posted
6/1/10
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Vesicular
Stomatitis confirmed in Arizona
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For
Immediate Release:
June 1, 2010
Vesicular
Stomatitis, which is a reportable and quarantinable disease in
South Dakota
, has been confirmed in a horse in
Arizona
.
Arizona
is the first state affected by VS in
2010.
Effective
immediately, all livestock entering South Dakota from affected states must be
accompanied by a health certificate stating that the animals have not originated
from premises or areas under quarantine for Vesicular Stomatitis (VS), and that
none are known to have been exposed to VS.
The health certificate must be issued within 72 hours of shipment.
South
Dakota State Veterinarian Dr. Dustin Oedekoven urges horse owners to consider
altering their schedules if plans include traveling to areas affected by the
disease.
Vesicular
Stomatitis is a sporadic, re-emerging disease characterized by blister-like
lesions on the tongue, lips, and soft skin areas of hooved animals. VS has an
incubation period of one to eight days. Infected animals develop blisters that
swell and burst, leaving painful sores.
Transmission
of VS is not fully understood; however, it is known that the disease may be
spread from animal to animal or by biting insects.
Infected
animals can also spread the virus when their saliva or fluid from ruptured
blisters contaminates feed, water or hay shared within herds.
VS infections usually run their course in two to three weeks, at which
time animals begin healing. VS
outbreaks usually, but not always, end with the seasonal freeze.
Vesicular
Stomatitis cases lead to export restrictions on susceptible animals, both
interstate and internationally.
VS
is not a disease of humans, although there have been occasional reports of mild
flu-like signs by individuals working closely with affected animals.
Contact
your veterinarian if there is a suspicion of Vesicular Stomatitis in your
livestock.
*OEDEKOVEN
(OH’ dih koh ven)
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