Vesicular stomatitis virus. Coloured transmission electron micrograph (TEM) of a particle of the rhabdovirus vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV). The bullet shape is characteristic of rhabdoviruses. The particle consists of a ribonucleic acid (RNA) core surrounded by a protein coat (capsid). VSV is an arbovirus (arthropod-borne virus) that is transmitted to domesticated animals and humans through the bite of an infected insect. Animals develop a fever and lesions on their lips, noses, feet and udders, and humans develop an influenza-like illness characterised by fever, headache, muscular aches and mouth blisters.