Everything Horses and Livestock® Magazine August 2020 Vol 5 Issue 3

Everything Horses and Livestock Magazine ®

Most animals recover with supportive care by a veterinarian. Lesions usually heal in two or three weeks. “Although it is rare, humans can also become infected when handling affected animals, and can develop flu-like symptoms,” Smith warned. “The primary way the virus is transmitted is from biting insects like black flies, sand flies and midges,” Smith explained. “It can also be spread by nose-to-nose contact between animals.” He encouraged horse owners to institute measures to reduce flies and other insects where animals are housed. The virus itself usually runs its course in five to seven days. “However, it can take up to an additional seven days for the infected animal to recover from the symptoms,” Smith said. KDA has developed guidelines to assist organizations which are hosting shows and fairs across the state. “We have worked with many show officials to consider how they can protect the health and safety of animals,” Smith advised. Kansas was the fourth state in the United States to have confirmed cases of VSV this year. VSV has also been substantiated in Arizona, Nebraska, New Mexico and Texas. Because of the confirmed cases in Kansas, other states and Canada are likely to increase restrictions on livestock imports. “There are no approved vaccines for VSV,” the veterinarian informed.

Vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) can cause blisters and sores in the mouth, muzzle, teats or hooves of horses, cattle, swine, sheep, goats, llamas and other animals.

15 Everything Horses and Livestock® | August 2020 | EHALmagazine.com