Disease spread through herds is most likely due to contact between animals and mechanically by insects and on fomites. Contact spread is probably by droplets. Over long distances VS spread may be due to the movement of infected animals and possibly by biting flies. Indirect losses from calf mortality and quarantine In beef production the greatest impact appears to be on calves with low market weights because they were weaned early from cows with painful teat lesions. However, these claves regain healthy weights when they start to eat and drink again.
Similar losses occur in the swine industry with decreased weight gain due to a reduced feed intake.
In a livestock production herd producers can reduce economic losses by implementing management practices that will minimize the spread of disease to susceptible headgates and by effectively treating infected animals. Currently, there is no VS vaccine licensed for use in Canada. Vaccine use is not currently envisaged as part of Canada's response to a possible incursion of Vs. Rationale for this position is that if the disease occurs in Canada it would likely be late in summer and the disease is limited by the first killing frost and the expected point of entry is not a major dairy area. There are no current OIE restrictions over the use of vaccines but some importing countries require a negative VS status.