Brownwood News – Vesicular Stomatitis (VSV) has been confirmed this week in Brown County.   A case was confirmed last week in Coleman County.

According to the latest situational update from the Texas Animal Health Commission, there have been 11 new confirmed cases in Texas, one of those being a VSV infected equine premises in Brown County.  Coleman County has also had a case of VSV reported with nearby counties of Shackelford, Taylor, Tom Green and Palo Pinto also on the list.

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What Equine and Cattle Owners Need to Know:  

VSV is a viral disease that primarily affects horses and cattle.

In the past decade, the Southwestern and Western United States have experienced a number of VSV outbreaks. Outbreaks usually occur during the warmer months, often along waterways.

VSV normally has an incubation period of 2-8 days before the infected animal develops blisters that swell and burst, leaving painful sores. The virus can be transmitted through direct contact with infected animals or by blood-feeding insects.

If VSV is confirmed, infected animals are quarantined for 14 days after clinical signs of lesions are observed. This short-term quarantine helps prevent the movement of animals and the spread of the disease to other premises, fairs or markets.

Strategies for Preventing VSV

Even with the best defensive measures, VSV could infect a herd. However, these tips may help protect livestock:

1. Control biting flies
2. Keep equine animals stalled or under a roof at night to reduce exposure to flies
3. Keep stalls clean
4. Feed and water stock from their individual buckets
5. Don’t visit a ranch that’s under quarantine for VSV. Wait until the animals have healed

Consult your local veterinarian or Texas Animal Health Commission website for additional information on VSV.