A fully licensed gene-deleted vaccine could be very valuable in the control of a VSV outbreak. Most diseases in veterinary medicine are controlled to a large extent by vaccination. We are aware of international complications with vaccinated animals, but most people are interested in keeping their animals nonclinical. Present and future epidemiology is very important. We need to find the origin of VSV if there is one, or identify the source of the reemerging disease.
Research is very important in the insect areas and how to control insect transmissions.
In Colorado, we need to refine our protocol to address future outbreaks of VSV, since we are sure they will occur. We feel there is a very definite need to see how widespread VSV is in the United States. Serum sampling is important in all states, not only in the southwestern states. There are indications that positive serological animals exist in other states independent of livestock movement. In conclusion, VSV is a highly sporadic viral disease of livestock that potentially can have severe economic impact on livestock producers if regulations are not prudent.