Although the mosquito and fly season should be gradually disappearing with cooler fall weather approaching, more cases of mosquito and fly borne diseases are being reported throughout the USA and horse owners are encouraged to practice adequate control to prevent new cases of infectious horse diseases.
Making horse health a priority during unseasonably warm weather
New cases of mosquito and fly borne diseases are being reported throughout the USA and horse owners are encouraged to practice adequate control to prevent new cases of infectious horse diseases during the unseasonably warm fall weather.
Three new Strangles cases have been confirmed in Hillsborough County Florida during the past week. On the first premise, one out of 47 horses is affected. The affected horse was pasture mates with another horse that moved prior to the original horse displaying clinical signs of submandibular swelling and abscess drainage which started on October 7th. The pasture mate has a fever but no clinical signs at the time.
The third premise has a horse that came from a kill facility in another state. The horse arrived symptom free per the reporting veterinarian. All three premises have been placed under quarantine. These are the first three cases for Hillsborough County and the 23nd through 25th case for the State in 2015.
A new case of West Nile virus has been confirmed in Marion County, Florida. The one year old, unvaccinated Thoroughbred had not been off the property in the past 6 weeks. Clinical signs began September 28th and the horse is currently being treated symptomatically. The case was confirmed positive on October 6th. This is the first confirmed case in Marion County and the first positive in Florida since the beginning of the year.
The Kentucky State Veterinarian's office announced Oct. 9 that two additional horsesâone from Crittenden County and one from Nelson Countyâhave tested positive for West Nile virus (WNV), bringing the commonwealthâs total for the year to eight. GO TO: http://jcvcd.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/9-30-15-Horse-WNV-Press-Release.pdf
As of 10/7/2015, the Colorado Department of Agricultureâs State Veterinarianâs Office has 42 locations in 14 counties under quarantine after horses, mules, and cattle herds tested positive for Vesicular Stomatitis (VS).
âThe prolonged warm temperatures in this season have been favorable for Vesicular Stomatitis transmission. It is important for livestock owners to continue with fly control until we have a hard freeze as flies are the main means of transfer of VS. In the last two weeks, we had new VS cases diagnosed in Fremont, Garfield, Logan, Moffat and Morgan Counties.
Other counties that had a significant number of cases have seen their number of current cases subside (Montrose and Delta counties) and yet we have seen a significant increase of new cases in Mesa County. I encourage all livestock owners to be aware of their county status and take the proper precautions to prevent insect populations on their property,â said State Veterinarian, Dr. Keith Roehr.
Livestock owners who suspect an animal may have VS or any other vesicular disease should immediately contact their local veterinarian. Livestock with clinical signs of VS are isolated until they are determined to be of no further threat for disease spread. There are no USDA approved vaccines for VS. While rare, human cases of VS can occur, usually among those who handle infected animals. VS in humans can cause flu-like symptoms and only rarely includes lesions or blisters.
As VS reappears in Colorado, concerned livestock-owners want to know what they can do to protect their herds. The State Veterinarianâs office receives many calls requesting the location of livestock and premises affected by VS. Colorado has a state statute called the âConfidentiality of Livestock Informationâ which protects livestock producersâ operational information and animal disease information. (C.R.S. 35-57.9-103). For more information, visit https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/aganimals/vesicular-stomatitis-virus-vsv.
âWhile we cannot disclose the exact location of the infected livestock, it is not very contagious from animal to animal. The primary method of spread is through insect vectors, primarily biting flies. The key to remember is to take steps to reduce the fly populations near livestock,â continued Dr. Roehr.
âThe virus typically causes oral blisters and sores that can be painful causing difficulty in eating and drinking,â continued Roehr. âWe are closing in on the fair and show season and we want to remind livestock owners to practice vigilant disease mitigation practices to protect their animals.â