List of diseases and conditions in meat goats.

News Release October 21, 2004
Texas Animal Health Commission
Box l2966 * Austin, Texas 78711 * (800) 550-8242 * FAX (512) 719-0719
Bob Hillman, DVM * Executive Director
For info, contact Carla Everett, information officer, at 1-800-550-8242, ext. 710,
or ceverett@tahc.state.tx.us

For immediate release:
All Vesicular Stomatitis (VS) Quarantines Released in Texas

For the first time since May 19, Texas has no animals or herds restricted because of Vesicular Stomatitis (VS), a blistering disease that can temporarily debilitate affected equine animals, cattle, goats, deer, swine or other susceptible species. VS occurs every few years in the Southwest, and the virus is thought to be transmitted by sand flies and black flies. Animals affected by the disease usually begin to heal several weeks after exhibiting blisters, sloughing of skin or sores in and around the mouth, above the hooves, or on the muzzle or teats.

“Texas was the first of three states to have VS infection this year. Throughout the summer, laboratory tests confirmed infection in horses and cattle on 15 Texas premises in eight counties. On October 18, the final Texas quarantine was released. This premise, in Kerr County, had been quarantined in early September, when VS infection was confirmed in a horse. We currently have no VS cases or quarantines, and no active VS investigations,” explained Dr. Bob Hillman, Texas’ state veterinarian and head of the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC), the state’s livestock and poultry health regulatory agency. Texas counties with confirmed VS cases this summer were Reeves, Val Verde, Uvalde, Starr, Yoakum, Kerr, Bandera and Dimmit. Animal health officials lift premise quarantines 30 days after the animals heal from the VS lesions.

Dr. Hillman said that releasing the last VS quarantine in the state will make it easier to ship Texas livestock to other states.