Vesicular stomatitis has begun to pop up in more Kansas counties in recent weeks according to the Kansas Department of Agriculture.
10 counties now have confirmed cases of VSV including Chase, Greenwood and Morris counties in the KVOE listening area. KDA is also currently awaiting results of testing from other counties as the disease continues its spread across the state.
KDA nearly 50 properties which have had confirmed cases within animals, mainly horses, were or currently are in a 14 day quarantine period. VSV is a viral disease that primarily affects horses but has also been found in other livestock such as cattle, sheep, goats, swine, llamas and alpacas.
The virus is transmitted from biting insects such as black flies, sand flies and midges according to KDA.
Animal Health Commissioner Dr. Justin Smith asks all livestock owners to “monitor your animals for symptoms of VSV, and be in communication with your veterinarian if you see anything of concern.” Symptoms include lesions on the muzzle, lips, ears, coronary bands or ventral abdomen. Infected animals can also have fevers and other blister-like lesions on the mouth, dental pad, tongue, lips, nostrils, ears and hooves.
The virus can also infect humans taking care for the affected animals, with flu-like symptoms presenting. It can take five to seven days for the virus to subside, however, it can take an additional week for the affected animal to fully recover.
For more information, call the Department of Agriculture’s Division of Animal Health at 785-564-6601 or go online to www.agriculture.ks.gov/VSV.
