Vesicular Stomatitis
Vesicular stomatitis affects cattle, pigs, horses, donkeys. It can also affect sheep and goats, but they are more resistant to it. It does not affect humans. It has never been present in Northern Ireland.
If notifiable disease is suspected, contact DAERA on 0300 200 7840 or your local DAERA Direct Regional Office. Failure to do so is an offence
Clinical signs
The signs of Vesicular Stomatitis are very similar to Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD). The only way to confirm the disease is by laboratory testing.
The main signs of vesicular stomatitis are:
- fever
- blisters on feet, snout, lips, tongue and inside the mouth
- lameness
- increased production of spit
What is the public health risk associated with this disease?
There is no public health risk associated with Vesicular Stomatitis. It doesn’t affect humans.
How is the disease transmitted?
The disease is spread by certain types of biting flies and by direct contact with infected animals.
Prevention
Good biosecurity is essential to the prevention of introduction of Vesicular Stomatitis into Northern Ireland.
Biosecurity measures that farmers can take
- maintain strict biosecurity
- only allow essential visitors to enter your farm, and insist that they wear clean or disposable clothing and footwear, and wash their hands (or shower in if possible)
- only allow vehicles and equipment on to the farm if they have been cleaned and disinfected beforehand
- do not allow people who may have been in contact with other pigs on to your farm
- do not allow staff and visitors to bring pork products on to the farm
- do not allow catering waste / scraps to be fed to pigs - dispose of it safely
- only source pigs and semen of known health status
If you keep pigs, you have an important role in preventing further disease outbreaks, it is essential that pig holders maintain effective biosecurity all year round.
The Department has a Pig Text Alert Service for all pig keepers to receive immediate notifications of disease outbreaks or other important disease information.
Do not feed pigs food waste
The feeding of any food waste of animal origin or food waste which has been in contact with products of animal origin, whether raw or cooked, is illegal in the UK. This is because there is a risk of spreading disease.
Food waste includes
- kitchen waste or scraps, such as leftovers from meals
- raw, partially or fully cooked meat
- meat that’s been cured, dried, smoked or frozen
- fish, including shellfish
- dog and cat food
You should dispose of food waste and any packaging in secure bins and you should not take meat or meat products into areas where pigs are kept.
Personal Imports
Everyone has a role to play in keeping Vesicular Stomatitis out of NI and preventing the virus spreading, by not bringing illegal food products into NI. Please find Information on Personal Food Imports or if you are thinking of bringing meat or food into NI.
It is illegal to bring personal meat or dairy products into NI from non-EU countries. Products will be seized and destroyed on arrival. You may be fined.
Anyone suspecting Swine Vesicular Disease must immediately inform their DAERA Direct Regional Office.
More useful links
British Horse Society: Equestrian Charity & Membership | The British Horse Society