Articles: Press Release

Contact:
Texas Animal Health Commission
Box l2966 * Austin, Texas 78711 * (800) 550-8242 * FAX (512) 719-0719
Bob Hillman, DVM * Executive Director
For info, contact Carla Everett, information officer, at 1-800-550-8242,
ext. 710, or ceverett@tahc.state.tx.us

As you know, vesicular stomatitis infection has been confirmed in Starr County, Texas and in De Baca County, New Mexico. A number of states have enhanced entry requirements or restrictions to prevent the introduction of the disease. (The vesicular stomatitis requirements or restrictions are an ADDITION to entry requirements and do not replace other documentation or testing requirements routinely required.)

For instance, Texas now requires a statement on certificates of veterinary inspection for all livestock entering from New Mexico, due to VS infection there.

The statement is:
"The animals represented on this health certificate have not originated from a premises or area under quarantine for vesicular stomatitis."

(The accredited veterinarian also is to state that the animals have been examined and exhibit no clinical signs of vesicular stomatitis.)

It is crucial to contact the country or state of destination prior to shipping or transporting livestock, if you live in Texas or New Mexico! Furthermore, if you live outside these states but plan to transport livestock into Texas or New Mexico and RETURN the animals to the state of origin, you need to know the requirements to re-enter your state.

Check with your state prior to traveling to Texas or New Mexico to ensure compliance with entry requirements in place during the vesicular stomatitis outbreak!

Additional information about vesicular stomatitis and entry requirements or restrictions we have received from other states are posted on the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) web site at http://www.tahc.state.tx.us. Vesicular stomatitis is the first topic on the home page.

Carla Everett, TAHC Public Info

Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food & Forestry
Becky L. Brewer, D.V.M., Animal Industry Services
2800 N. Lincoln Blvd.
P.O. Box 528804
Oklahoma City, OK 73152-8804
Telephone: 405-522-6131 FAX: 405-522-0756
Permit Line: 405-522-6141

Emergency Import Requirements as of 6/23/09

Livestock (equine, bovine, porcine, caprine, ovine, or cervidae) entering or reentering Oklahoma from a state where vesicular stomatitis has been diagnosed within the last 30 days shall be accompanied by a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) dated within five days of entry containing the following statement: "All animals identified on this health certificate have been examined and found to be free from signs of vesicular stomatitis and have not originated from a premise which is under quarantine for vesicular stomatitis."

The CVI shall be signed by an accredited veterinarian of the state where vesicular stomatitis has been diagnosed and shall be obtained prior to each entry or reentry into Oklahoma.

California Department of Food and Agriculture Dr. Richard Breitmeyer 1220 N Street, Room 400 Sacramento, CA 95814 916-651-6870

All horses, cattle, and swine *originating from any state where vesicular stomatitis (VS) has been diagnosed since June 1, 2009, (except cattle and swine transported directly to slaughter) must be accompanied by a health certificate (certificate of veterinary inspection) and signed by an accredited veterinarian that includes the following statement:

The animals represented on this certificate have not originated from a premises or area under quarantine for vesicular stomatitis, or a premises on which VS has been diagnosed in the past 30 days. I have examined the animals and have found no signs of vesicular stomatitis.

*For purposes of this requirement, originating means horses, cattle, and swine that initially leave the VS infected state and come to California, or those that leave California, visit an infected state, and then return to California.

Additionally, the California Horse Racing Board (CHRB) requires that any horse coming from a VS infected state must test negative for VS within the past thirty (30) days to enter race tracks and/or CHRB approved training centers. For further information, you may contact Dr. Rick M. Arthur, Equine Medical Director, CHRB, at (916) 263-6000 or by FAX at (916) 263-6042

New Mexico Livestock Board
Dr. Dave Fly
Office of the State Veterinarian
300 San Mateo NE, Suite 1000
Albuquerque, New Mexico 87108
(505) 841-6161

The New Mexico Livestock Board requires an entry permit for all horses and other livestock entering the state from a county with vesicular stomatitis. (Currently in Texas, that is limited to Starr County.) The permit may be obtained at no charge by calling the New Mexico Livestock Board at 505-841-6161.

For ALL livestock entering New Mexico from Texas, the following statement is required on the certificate of veterinary inspection:

The animals represented on this CVI (health certificate) have not originated from a premises or area under quarantine for vesicular stomatitis (VS), or a premises on which VS has been diagnosed in the past 21 days. I have examined the animals and have found no clinical signs of VS.