Vesicular stomatitis reported in a horse from Oklahoma

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews

The National Veterinary Services Laboratories in Ames, Iowa, confirmed on July 29 the discovery of a vesicular stomatitis virus infection (Indiana serotype) in a horse in Tillman County, in Oklahoma, Oklahoma.

The seven-year-old horse was presented with oral lesions, erosions at the mouth commissures on July 24 when the owner had the horse examined. The horse met the definition of case of infection with compatible clinical signs and achieved positive results in the complement fixation test at 1:40 or higher. The clinical horse is also PCR positive for VSV-Indiana on a lesion sample.

Since the beginning of the epidemic in late June, 366 VSV-affected premises have been identified (174 positive confirmed, 192 suspected) in five states (Texas, New Mexico, Colorado and Wyoming).

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Vesicular stomatitis is a viral disease that mainly affects horses and cattle and sometimes pigs, sheep, goats, llamas and alpacas. VSV transmission is not fully understood, but includes vector insects such as black flies, sand flies and biting midges. The incubation period varies from 2 to 8 days. Clinical signs include vesicles, erosions and thinning of the skin on the muzzle, tongue, teats and coronary bands. Excessive salivation is often the first sign of illness, accompanied by a reluctance to eat or drink. Lameness and weight loss can follow.