STILLWATER, Oklahoma – Missouri is among four states that have reported animals infected with vesicular stomatitis virus, or VSV. The disease causes blister-like lesions in and around the mouth of livestock. Oklahoma Department of Agriculture State Veterinarian Rod Hall said the virus is not common there but is often found in regions of Mexico and South America. The U.S. Department of Agriculture stated cases have been found in Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska and Missouri. Hall said the disease is caused by bites from insects, such as black flies. The spread to Oklahoma could be caused by eggs being laid in the Arkansas River or other waterways. “We expect that we’re going to continue to see cases, probably going to see a lot more than what we have so far as the summer progresses and those insects continue to hang around,” Hall said. USDA guidelines state VSV-infected animals must be quarantined for 14 days. Hall said the disease is not typically deadly, but cases must be investigated due…