Animal Health & Welfare
As members may recall, Farm Bureau has been closely tracking the spread of Vesicular Stomatitis Virus throughout the state. Below is the most recent report released on Tuesday.
9 New VSV-affected premises identified (3 confirmed positive, 6 suspects; including 2 with affected cattle) in California, including a new affected county, Merced County. We wish to strongly reiterate and re-emphasize the importance of ongoing, active vigilance and outreach to your memberships and agencies to encourage prompt reporting of suspect lesions in horses and susceptible livestock and an immediate stop movement of any suspect animals. We are requesting that all stakeholders disseminate as widely as possible within our industry as well as to those within your organizations/memberships that may need this informational update.
***Please take a moment to review the following IMPORTANT information reminders, and share widely with colleagues and other industry stakeholders as appropriate:***
VSV CASE SAMPLING, LAB SUBMISSIONS, AND REPORTING
Any non-equid VSV suspect species must be reported to CDFA or USDA immediately and sampled by a regulatory veterinarian given the concern for clinical similarities to Foreign Animal Diseases (FADs) such as Foot and Mouth Disease.
1. VSV SURVEILLANCE AND MONITORING
Continue to be highly vigilant and promote VSV awareness in ALL areas of the state, including previously affected areas that have not recently confirmed new cases, as well as currently naïve areas. The fly vectors still remain active and present in California, and migration patterns continue to be challenging to predict despite currently cooling weather.
2. PREVENTION IS CRITICAL
Please talk to your clients/colleagues/employees/agents frequently during this outbreak period and ensure they are taking the risk of infection and exposure seriously and implementing enhanced fly control in addition to routine biosecurity best practices to the best of their abilities. While many of our cattle premises do some level of fly control; prevention of exposure via vectors is critical.
3. INFECTION WITH OR EXPOSURE TO VSV DOES NOT PRODUCE PROTECTIVE ANTIBODIES OR IMMUNITY IN ANY SUSCEPTIBLE SPECIES
This also contributes to the lack of a currently effective vaccine. Previously infected animals CAN be reinfected if the flies carrying the virus remain present in the area. VSV-exposed animals may have antibodies for many years following exposure or infection, but positive antibody levels do not confer protection.
4. REMINDER
Mandatory VSV quarantines for any susceptible species will be in place for a minimum of fourteen (14) days from the date of ONSET of last known vesicular lesions. Quarantine release is dependent on verification of no additional quarantinable signs of any susceptible animal on a quarantined premises, and criteria for release will be evaluated no less than 14 days from onset of last clinical lesions.
VSV SITUATION REPORT 11/28/2023 BRIEFING
All confirmed cases to date have been vesicular stomatitis New Jersey virus (VSNJV) serotype. Updates are as follows:
California
- Fresno County – 1 new confirmed positive equine and 1 suspect cattle premises
- Madera County – 4 new suspect equine premises
- Mariposa County – 1 new confirmed positive equine and cattle premises
4. Merced County (New Infected County) – 1 confirmed positive equine premises 4. Tuolumne County – 1 new suspect equine premises 5. Counties with current VSV quarantines: Fresno, Inyo, Kings, Madera, Mariposa, Tuolumne, Merced Counties
Since the start of the outbreak (5/17/2023), 307 VSV-affected premises have been identified (90 confirmed positive, 217 suspect) in 3 states, California, Nevada, and Texas. Two hundred ninety-seven (297) of these premises have had only equine species clinically affected, seven (7) premises had only clinically affected cattle (Fresno County, San Diego County, and Santa Barbara County, California), two (2) premises had both equine and cattle clinically affected (Fresno County and Mariposa County, California), and one (1) premises had clinically affected rhinoceros (San Diego County, California). Additional information and maps of the affected area are contained in the situation report. The situation report is posted publicly on the APHIS website and is accessible at the following link: here.
Please contact CDFA immediately if you have suspicion of a VS case in any species. Contact information for each of CDFA’s district offices is attached. As a reminder, clinical signs of VS include excessive salivation, vesicles (blister-like lesions), erosions or ulcerations around the mouth, tongue, nostrils, teats, feet, and coronary bands. As VS is highly contagious among susceptible species (primarily equids and cattle, but also camelids and small ruminants, and occasionally swine) as well as potentially zoonotic, we also want to ensure proper personal protective equipment and biosecurity measures are in place on your facilities. Please notify your CDFA district office immediately if you or your personnel identify animals with consistent lesions.
There is no effective vaccine for VS. Vector mitigation (specifically black fly and sand fly control) is critical in containing a potential VS outbreak. As has been mentioned through this outbreak, please ensure adequate fly protective measures are in place on your facilities, such as insecticide use on animals and around facilities, manure management and reduction of fly breeding areas. Any suspected lesioned animals should be immediately isolated upon detection. As VS can also be transmitted via contaminated surfaces; please ensure extra precautions are in place on dairies especially, to avoid transmission of VS to other animals or personnel during milking.
Last week, The Meat, Poultry, and Egg Safety Branch at CDFA released information for egg handlers regarding the upcoming Prop 12 implementation dates:
We are writing this to help registered egg handlers be aware of upcoming dates for Animal Confinement regulatory requirements (aka Prop 12). Many people have been confused because they are already registered as an Egg Handler. These Animal Confinement requirements are in addition to and separate from, registration as an Egg Handler. As of January 1, 2024, all producers are required to have a “Certificate of Compliance.” ESQM can help you get the verification inspection needed to be in compliance. If you would like ESQM to complete your verification audit, please let us know and then fill out this form and send it in. Below are some helpful links for the Animal Care program information that may also be helpful.
https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/AHFSS/AnimalCare/
Animal Confinement Important Dates guidance
Egg Regulatory Framework guidance
Distributor Registration guidance
Egg Producer guidance
Egg Producer Website Guidance Video
Staff: Katie Little; klittle@cfbf.com
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