Transboundary Emerging and Exotic Animal Disease/ Exotic Animal Disease Practice Exam

Insect transmission plays the greatest role in which vesicular disease?

1. Foot and mouth disease

2. Swine vesicular disease

3. Senecavirus A

4. Vesicular stomatitis

The correct answer is: Vesicular stomatitis

Insect transmission is particularly significant in vesicular stomatitis, primarily because this disease is known to be spread by biting insects, such as sandflies and midges. These insects can serve as vectors that facilitate the transmission of the virus between hosts, which include various species of livestock such as horses, cattle, and swine. The viral agents responsible for vesicular stomatitis, specifically the Vesiculovirus genus, have a close association with these insect vectors, which effectively increases the likelihood of outbreaks in regions where these insects are prevalent. Due to this mode of transmission, vesicular stomatitis often exhibits patterns of occurrence that correlate closely with insect populations, meaning that environmental conditions that support insect proliferation can also lead to an increase in disease incidence. In contrast, other diseases listed, such as foot and mouth disease, swine vesicular disease, and Senecavirus A, are generally spread through direct contact between infected and susceptible animals rather than by insect vectors. Understanding the vectors involved in disease transmission is crucial for effective control measures, particularly in managing outbreaks of vesicular stomatitis.