NJDA Vesicular Stomatitis Alert -- New Jersey Important Requirements
NJDA Vesicular Stomatitis Alert -- New Jersey Important Requirements
This alert is issued by
NJDA, Division of Animal Health
Dr. Nancy Halpern, Director
As of May 10, 2005, Vesicular Stomatitis (VS) had been confirmed in two southwest counties of New Mexico (Grant and Luna Counties) and two counties in Arizona (Maricopa and Yavapai Counties) infecting a total of 11 horses. The seven positive premises of these states have been placed under quarantine. In response to these positive cases and in accordance with N.J.A.C. 2.5-1.1, New Jersey requires the following:
All livestock (including horses), and wild and exotic animals, to be imported from states which have been identified as being affected with the contagious viral disease known as vesicular stomatitis must first obtain a permit for entry by telephone at (609) 292-3965 or by fax at (609) 777-8395 (weekdays, 8:45am to 4:45pm, eastern time).
Permits will be granted only for those animals that are accompanied by an approved Certificate of Veterinary Inspection which includes a statement that:
1. The animals have been examined and found free of evidence of vesicular stomatits;
2. During the 30 days prior to shipment, the animals have not been within 10 miles of any premise on which vesicular stomatitis has been diagnosed within 60 days;
3. The animals have not been exposed to any animal which has been vaccinated with vesicular stomatits vaccine, of any kind, within the last 30 days; and
4. The animals must have a negative test (CELISA, CF, SN) for vesicular stomatitis performed by an approved laboratory prior to 10 days of shipment.
Animals imported into New Jersey under such a permit shall be automatically quarantined for 14 days, and shall be isolated from other livestock until the quarantine expires or the animals are released by the State Veterinarian or his/her representative.
With the upcoming show and fair season, all livestock (including horses), and wild and exotic animals, originating from New Mexico and Arizona, must be issued a permit prior to entry into New Jersey. In addition, New Jersey based animals that are traveling to New Mexico or Arizona must have a negative test and be issued a permit prior to re-entry into New Jersey.
In 2004, New Mexico, Texas, and Colorado were the only states that confirmed cases of vesicular stomatitis. The last case in the U.S. was confirmed in the State of Colorado in December 2004.
VS is a viral disease that occurs sporadically in the U.S., usually in southwestern states. The disease can affect horses, cattle and pigs, and occasionally, sheep, goats and deer, causing blisters to form in the animal's mouth, on teats or along the hooves, resulting in excessive salivation, lameness or oozing sores. The clinical signs of VS can cause concern because they mimic those of a highly contagious foreign animal infection foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) which has been eradicated in the U.S. since 1929. Laboratory tests must be run to differentiate between the two diseases, when cattle, pigs, sheep or other cloven-hooved animals develop signs of the disease. Unlike FMD, VS also can affect horses and other members of the equine family.
Researchers have determined that VS outbreaks are started by a virus transmitted by arthropods, such as ticks, mites, biting midges, mosquitoes or house flies. Following an incubation period of two to eight days, infected animals may develop clinical signs of disease. VS-infected animals also can spread the virus if their saliva or the fluid from ruptured blisters contaminates equipment or feed shared by herd mates. VS is rarely fatal and infection usually runs its course in a couple of weeks. Infected livestock may need supportive care to prevent secondary infections where blisters have ruptured. The affected animals also may lose condition because they will avoid eating as long as their mouth is sore. Lesions can also occur along hooves resulting in temporary lameness. Although the disease does not affect food safety, infected livestock are withheld from slaughter until they recover.
If you observe livestock with suspicious clinical signs contact the Division of Animal Health at (609) 292-3965 or USDA, APHIS, VS at (609) 259-8387. As a biosecurity measure, rubber or latex gloves should be used when handling potentially infected animals. Please call if you have any questions or concerns.
For additional information on VS, please refer to the following APHIS webpage: www.aphis.usda.gov/lpa/pubs/fsheet_faq_notice/fs_ahvs.html
