Because of the virus’ contagious nature and its resemblance to other diseases such as foot-and-mouth disease, animal health officials urge livestock owners and caretakers to report these symptoms to their veterinarian immediately. | Photo: Courtesy Wyoming State Veterinarian's Office

In its Situation Report of June 16, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) confirmed three horses on a premises in Butler County, Kansas, as having met the confirmed case definition for the Indiana serotype of vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV). A fourth horse on the premises also shows clinical signs of muzzle and/or coronary band lesions. All four horses began experiencing signs around June 9. No other susceptive livestock species live on the premises. This is Kansas’ index case for 2020.

Officials subsequently confirmed VSV on two additional Butler County premises. One premises has three horses in residence, with all showing clinical signs that began around June 4, and the third premises has seven horses, with one showing clinical signs that began around June 9. This premises also contains three goats, which are currently unaffected.

None of the premises has had a recent history of animals coming or going