Jun 02, 2023

Three California Counties Affected by Vesicular Stomatitis Outbreak

By Lindsay Berreth - USEA Staff

The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) continues to monitor the outbreak of Vesicular Stomatitis (VS) in California. Currently, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has confirmed that there are three counties—San Diego, San Bernardino, and Riverside—where confirmed or suspected cases of VS have been identified.

A USDA situation report dated June 2, 2023, states that there are 18 premises affected within those counties. To date, all confirmed cases have been vesicular stomatitis New Jersey virus serotype (VSNJV).

The 2023 VSV outbreak began on May 17 when the National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) in Ames, Iowa, confirmed the first VSV-positive premises in San Diego County, California.

According to the USDA, Vesicular Stomatitis is a viral disease that primarily affects horses, cattle, and swine. The agent that causes vesicular stomatitis, VSV, has a wide host range and can occasionally infect sheep and goats. It is not usually fatal, but there is no specific treatment or cure. Good sanitation and quarantine practices on affected farms can usually contain the infection.

The most common method of transmission is through biting insects such as Black flies, sand flies, and biting midges, but other insects may also be involved. Once the disease is introduced into a herd, it may move from animal to animal by contact or exposure to saliva or fluid from ruptured vesicles.

In horses, vesicular lesions generally occur on the upper surface of the tongue, lips, corners of the mouth, and gums, as well as around the nostrils. The lesions in horses may also appear as crusting scabs on the muzzle, lips, ears, coronary bands, sheath, udder, or underside of the abdomen. The lesions typically resolve within 14 days.

The USEF is monitoring the outbreak and supports continuing competitions in VS-affected states and competitions which include horses from VS-affected states provided biosecurity measures are implemented.

The USEF held a webinar on May 26 that was attended by over 300 participants.

Members can watch the webinar and review the information available here.

For any questions, please reach out to [email protected] or call 859-225-6991.

May 06, 2025 Competitions

Fast Facts: Tryon International Three-Day Event

As we gear up for the summer, the competition season isn’t slowing down and it’s time for one of the staple events on the international calendar in the U.S., the Tryon International Three-Day Event (Mill Spring, North Carolina). This event hosts one of five CCI4*-L events on the U.S. calendar, and this year there are 13 competitors in the field. Continue reading below for more interesting facts pertaining to the event that kicks off this Thursday, May 8.

May 06, 2025 Sponsor

#WeRideTogether Renews Partnership with USEA to Promote Awareness and Education for Safer, Healthier Horse Sport

The United States Eventing Association (USEA) is proud to announce the continued partnership with #WeRideTogether as an Official Educational Partner of the USEA. #WeRideTogether is a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing safety and well-being in sports through safeguarding education and abuse prevention efforts.

May 05, 2025 Interscholastic

Thanks to the 2025 USEA Intercollegiate & Interscholastic Eventing Championships Supporters!

The 2025 USEA Intercollegiate & Interscholastic Eventing Championships were an incredible success, ushering the programs forward as the first standalone championships knock on the door for 2026. The Intercollegiate and IEL Programs were merged for their year-end championships to ensure that the USEA’s junior and young adult members have a goal to continue to pursue their passion for eventing throughout their educational years and beyond, and the support the event has received in the last two years has been astounding.

May 05, 2025 Education

USEA Podcast #386: All About Pre-Purchase Exams

A pre-purchase examination (PPE) is big part of investing in a new eventing partner, but there are so many options and add-ons that can be done in a PPE that the process can feel a bit daunting. USEA Podcast Host Nicole Brown sat down with equine veterinarian and USEA Board of Governors member Dr. Angie Yates, DVM, to discuss all things related to the PPE, different perspectives to keep in mind, and more in this week's episode of the USEA Podcast. This episode is a great one if you anticipate you will be in the market for a new horse soon!

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