The Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) has confirmed the state and nation’s first 2014 case of Vesicular Stomatitis (VS) in cattle. The two head of cattle located near Mathis in Jim Wells County and the premises have been placed under quarantine.
The virus has been tested and confirmed to be the New Jersey serotype, the same found in nine previously reported cases in Texas horses. The total number of Texas animals infected with VS this year is 13, according to Southwest Farm Press.
Confirmed cases of VS have been found in five Texas counties which include Hidalgo, Jim Wells, Kinney, Nueces and San Patricio—all in South/Southwest Texas.
VS is a viral disease that can cause blisters, excessive saliva and sores on horses, cattle, swine, sheep, goats, llamas and other animals.
Because VS is contagious and carries symptoms similar to foot and mouth disease, TAHC encourages livestock owners to report any found VS symptoms to their vet immediately.