VSV confirmed in county

Vesicular Stomatitis (VSV) that has affected some of Wyoming’s equine, has now spread to cattle in three different herds. There has been confirmation from the Wyoming Livestock Board of one case in cattle Hot Springs County, and other cases are believed to be in Park and Platte counties.

The disease was first discovered in Wyoming around late July when a horse in Platte county was confirmed by state and national veterinarian’s with the virus. Since then, twelve counties across the Cowboy State have confirmed cases in equine infections. Biting insects is believed to be the main cause for the outbreak, however the viral disease is highly contagious and can spread by animal-to-animal contact.

Due to reports of VSV being found in Wyoming horses, the Thermopolis Gymkhana scheduled for Sept. 21 will now be Oct. 26 to allow time for a good freeze. Outbreak of the disease has also caused the annual WYO Quarter Horse Ranch Fall Sale to be rescheduled for Oct. 12

Vesicular Stomatitis is a viral disease that commonly affects horses, cattle and pigs but can affect sheep, goats and wild animals. The major concern with this disease is that it mimics Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), which has been eradicated in the United States since 1929.

Introduction of FMD into the U.S. would have tremendous economic consequences so the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA-APHIS) monitors any disease that can look similar to FMD.

The only way to distinguish VSV from FMD in livestock is through laboratory tests. Horses are not affected by FMD. Oral lesions are a common indicator that a horse may be infected with VSV.

There is no vaccine available for VSV. The state livestock board requests producers that believe their livestock may be infected with VSV to contact their local veterinarians as soon as possible.