b'Arizona Ask the VetREAL COUNTRY VESICULAR STOMATITIS the magazine VIRUSMike Barna V SV is a zoonotic arbovirus that belongs to the family, Rhabdoviridae, the same family as the Publisher rabies viruses. ArizonaRealCountryMagazine@gmail.com The 2020 VSV outbreak began on April 13, 2020, when the National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) in Ames, Iowa confirmed the first VSV-Erika Smith Royal positive premises in Dona Ana County, New Mexico.Editor Arizona and Texas subsequently broke with VSV cases erika963realcountry@gmail.com which were confirmed by NVSL on April 22, 2020 (Cochise County, Arizona) and April 23, 2020 (Starr Misty Voitovski County, Texas). Arizona has identified five affected Implement insect control programs to eliminate premises (five confirmed positive) in four countiesor reduce insect breeding areas and use insecticide Creative Director (Cochise, Gila, Pima, and Pinal Counties). The indexsprays or insecticide-treated ear tags on animals. premises houses two horses and five calves. Only oneFly control is the most important step, and should of the horses has shown clinical signs (oral lesions) ofbe taken very seriously. Frequent application of fly Contributing Writers VSV. The signs reportedly appeared around April 16.repellent approved for animals, including on the Lee AndersonHannah HansonThe calves, which only recently were brought to theface and ears is recommended along with the use of premises, show no signs. No other animals have movedbarriers, such as fly sheets and face masks.Justin LeglerMark Melkowskionto or off the premises. Arizonas last previously Infection risk may be further reduced by sheltering Betsy NunnJim & Bobbi Jeen Olsonconfirmed case of VSV was in the spring of 2005. horses during peak times for biting attacks. Those times typically are mid-morning, with a more Bill RobertsAlan Rockman Transmission in animals occurs through insect bitesintense phase in evening, ending at dusk. Biting Bob RoloffJohn Samsill from flies and midges.The virus also is spread throughintensifies at the onset of storms and may persist all direct contact, meaning when an infected animalday when overcast conditions occur.Hank ShefferBuddy Uldrikson touches noses with another animal. Indirect contact Use protective measures when handling affected Michele Wilson is also a concern; this occurs when an infected animalanimals to avoid human exposure to the disease. sheds virus onto somethinglike a water bucket, aHumans can become infected with VSV when trailer, a tie-out rail, or grooming equipmentand thenhandling affected animals. Vesicular Stomatitis Virus 801 W. Wickenburg Way another animal picks up the virus from that object. can cause flu-like symptoms and only rarely includes Wickenburg, AZ 85390 VSV is a viral disease that can affect horses, cattle andlesions or blisters in people. pigs, and occasionally llamas, alpacas, sheep and goats.IN ADDITION, HERE ARE BASIC STEPS(602) 254-6644 In affected livestock, VSV causes blister-like lesionsTO PREVENT INFECTIOUS DISEASE WHEN to form in the mouth and on the dental pad, tongue,TRAVELING TO ANY EVENTS WITHArizonaRealCountry.com lips, nostrils, hooves, and teats. These blisters swell andYOUR HORSE: break, leaving raw tissue that is so painful that infected Separate your horse from others during the show/animals generally refuse to eat and drink and showrodeo/roping.signs of lameness. Severe weight loss usually follows, Dont share tack or feeding, watering, and grooming and in dairy cows a severe drop in milk productionequipment. Dont tie your horse where others have commonly occurs. Affected dairy cattle can appear tobeen tied. Keep hands off other horses, and avoid be normal and will continue to eat about half of theirletting other people handle your horse.feed intake. Rarely life threatening, infected animals are Disinfect all show and travel equipment, including Follow Arizona Realquarantined and required to limit movement. trailer, before and after use. Frequently wash hands and use hand sanitizer.Country for news, events,Lesions usually heal in two or three weeks. Because Segregate your traveling horse from others for a of the virus contagious nature and its resemblance toweek after returning home; monitor your horse for giveaways and more! other diseases such as foot-and-mouth disease, animalany signs of infection or illness during this time.health officials urge livestock owners and caretakers Travel restrictions come into play if you are Arizona Real Country is owned andto report these symptoms to their veterinariantransporting horses or livestock to a different state.immediately. Most animals recover with supportive Officials in the destination state manage these published by Barna Broadcastingcare by a veterinarian. restrictions. LLC. No person, organization or party can copy or reproduce the contentVSV is most likely to occur during the warm months on our website and/or magazine orin the Southwest, the ADA reports, particularly alongThe Salt River Wild Horse Management river ways and valleys. Group has posted signs in all the recreation any part of this publication withoutareas along the Bush Hwy after noting some a written consent from the editorsTHE FOLLOWING ACTIONS AREpossible lesions on a few of the horses in the panel and the author of the content, asRECOMMENDED: Salt River Herd. It is suspected that these may applicable. The publisher, authors and Separate animals with lesions from healthy animalsbe cases of the Indiana strain of VSV which is contributors reserve their rights withpreferably by stabling. Animals on pastures apparentlyreported to be traveling down the Verde River. regards to copyright of their work. are affected more frequently with this disease. Horse owners in Arizona are strongly advisedAs a precautionary measure, do not move animalsto not ride in any quarantined areas since from premises affected by VSV for at least 30 daysthere is no vaccine for VSV.after the last lesion found has healed.ArizonaRealCountry.com July 2020 5'