Factors associated with vesicular stomatitis in animals in the western United States.

The study aimed to identify the factors associated with the development of vesicular stomatitis (VS), a viral disease, in livestock in Texas, New Mexico, and Colorado. The researchers found that controlling insect populations and having animals spend time in shelters reduced the chance of VS infection. On the other hand, premises covered with grassland or pasture or those with bodies of water were found to be at greater risk of the disease.

Study Methodology

• The research was conducted as a case-control study involving 138 livestock premises and 118 horses suspected of having VS.
• The case premises were those with at least one animal displaying clinical signs of VS and laboratory confirmation of infection. Premises where laboratory confirmation results for VS were negative served as the control group.
• In premises involving horses, the selection of case and control horses was based on the premises’ status.
• A survey was conducted to identify factors associated with the occurrence of VS in both the premises and specific horses.

Key Results

• The control of insect populations in the two weeks prior to the examination of VS decreased the odds of disease occurrence for premises where the vegetation coverage was grassland or pasture.
• On the reverse, the odds of VS increased in premises covered with grassland or pasture where measures to control insect populations were not used and for premises that had a body of water.
• For horses, the use of measures preventing insect bites or harassment and spending time in shelters in the two weeks prior to the examination reduced the odds of being a VS case.

Main Conclusions

• The study concluded that insect control measures and having animals spend time in shelters can reduce the possibility of VS infection.
• Premises covered with grassland or pasture or those that contained a body of water were identified as higher risk areas for the disease.