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 Dr. Josie Traub-Dargatz

• Jasper County — one new confirmed positive and one new suspect equine premises;
• McDonald County — one new confirmed positive equine premises; and
• Newton County — one new confirmed positive equine premises.

Missouri currently contains five affected counties (confirmed positive premises, current premises quarantined):

• Cedar — (2, 2)
• Jasper — (8, 14)
• Lawrence — (1, 1)
• McDonald — (3, 3)
• Newton — (8, 12)

Premises with confirmed positive and suspect cases are quarantined and monitored by veterinarians for at least 14 days from the onset of lesions in the last animal affected.

VS 101

Vesicular stomatitis virus can cause blisters and sores in the mouth and on the tongue, muzzle, teats, or hooves of horses, cattle, swine, sheep, goats, llamas, and a number of other animals. Lesions usually heal in two or three weeks