We are worried about Mad Cow, but the real issue is VS, Anthrox, and soon to be inflicted FMD( via terrorist) ................what is USDA, APHIS VS doing?????
ANIMAL HEALTH
--Vesicular Stomatitis Hits Montana And Other Western States
Test results have confirmed that horses at four additional Yellowstone County, Montana, premises have positive cases of vesicular stomatitis (VS), according to Tom Linfield, Montana state veterinarian. The first case of VS was confirmed on Aug. 10, and as of Wednesday a total of nine horses have been confirmed with VS on five premises around the Laurel and Billings areas.
According to state and federal protocol, when an animal is suspected of having a foreign animal disease (FAD) a FAD veterinarian diagnostician is required to be on-site to collect samples for testing. At that time, the site is placed under quarantine until the test results are available. Samples are sent to the National Veterinary Laboratory Services (NVSL) in Ames, IA, or can be sent to the FAD Diagnostic Laboratory at Plum Island, NY.
Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, and Arizona also have current cases of VS in horses and/or cattle.
"Because of the confirmed cases of VS, Montana is now considered a VS-affected state, and animal owners and veterinarians should be aware that interstate restrictions will apply," Linfield says. Veterinarians should check the destination state or country to comply with specific requirements.
"There are currently no restrictions for in-state travel for animals, except for animals on the premises under quarantine," adds Linfield. "However, livestock auction markets, fairs and horse events throughout Montana may be requiring the precaution of having a veterinarian check animals before they enter the event and upon departure."
Horse owners can help protect their animals from this disease by avoiding traveling to or congregating in areas known to be affected with VS. Proper sanitation practices should be used, as well as isolating new additions to the herd or animals returning to the herd or premises. Montana will be considered a VS-affected state until 21 days after the lesions in the last affected animal have healed.
VS is a viral disease that primarily affects horses, cattle, and swine, but may affect goats, sheep, llamas and alpacas. In affected livestock, the incubation period for VS ranges from 2-8 days. It is believed the vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) is spread through insect vectors, such as the sand fly and the black fly, movement of infected animals, and contaminated objects such as water troughs and feed bins. Once introduced into a herd, the disease apparently moves from animal to animal by contact or exposure to saliva or fluid from ruptured lesions.
VSV causes blister-like lesions to form in one or several of the following locations: mouth, dental pad, tongue, lips, nostrils, on the coronary bands, or on the teats. VS rarely causes death, but an animal can suffer several weeks while the lesions heal.
Additional information on VS, including a link to USDA may be found at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/ceah/ncahs/nsu/surveillance/vsv/vsv.htm ( http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/ceah/ncahs/nsu/surveillance/vsv/vsv.htm) where situation reports, maps and movement restrictions and requirements are located.
-- Karen Cooper, Montana Department of Livestock
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ANIMAL HEALTH
--Vesicular Stomatitis Hits Montana And Other Western States
Test results have confirmed that horses at four additional Yellowstone County, Montana, premises have positive cases of vesicular stomatitis (VS), according to Tom Linfield, Montana state veterinarian. The first case of VS was confirmed on Aug. 10, and as of Wednesday a total of nine horses have been confirmed with VS on five premises around the Laurel and Billings areas.
According to state and federal protocol, when an animal is suspected of having a foreign animal disease (FAD) a FAD veterinarian diagnostician is required to be on-site to collect samples for testing. At that time, the site is placed under quarantine until the test results are available. Samples are sent to the National Veterinary Laboratory Services (NVSL) in Ames, IA, or can be sent to the FAD Diagnostic Laboratory at Plum Island, NY.
Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, and Arizona also have current cases of VS in horses and/or cattle.
"Because of the confirmed cases of VS, Montana is now considered a VS-affected state, and animal owners and veterinarians should be aware that interstate restrictions will apply," Linfield says. Veterinarians should check the destination state or country to comply with specific requirements.
"There are currently no restrictions for in-state travel for animals, except for animals on the premises under quarantine," adds Linfield. "However, livestock auction markets, fairs and horse events throughout Montana may be requiring the precaution of having a veterinarian check animals before they enter the event and upon departure."
Horse owners can help protect their animals from this disease by avoiding traveling to or congregating in areas known to be affected with VS. Proper sanitation practices should be used, as well as isolating new additions to the herd or animals returning to the herd or premises. Montana will be considered a VS-affected state until 21 days after the lesions in the last affected animal have healed.
VS is a viral disease that primarily affects horses, cattle, and swine, but may affect goats, sheep, llamas and alpacas. In affected livestock, the incubation period for VS ranges from 2-8 days. It is believed the vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) is spread through insect vectors, such as the sand fly and the black fly, movement of infected animals, and contaminated objects such as water troughs and feed bins. Once introduced into a herd, the disease apparently moves from animal to animal by contact or exposure to saliva or fluid from ruptured lesions.
VSV causes blister-like lesions to form in one or several of the following locations: mouth, dental pad, tongue, lips, nostrils, on the coronary bands, or on the teats. VS rarely causes death, but an animal can suffer several weeks while the lesions heal.
Additional information on VS, including a link to USDA may be found at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/ceah/ncahs/nsu/surveillance/vsv/vsv.htm ( http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/ceah/ncahs/nsu/surveillance/vsv/vsv.htm) where situation reports, maps and movement restrictions and requirements are located.
-- Karen Cooper, Montana Department of Livestock
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