All owners and competitors traveling to Oklahoma need to be aware of the requirements for health certificates.  Health certificates are required for all horses traveling into the state. All horses must have current coggins and health papers presented during check-in at the NSBA World Championship Show. 

OKLAHOMA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, FOOD AND FORESTRY
2800 N. Lincoln Boulevard, Oklahoma City, OK 73105-4912
PRESS RELEASE: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FOR MORE INFORMATION: 
Morgan Vance, Public Information Officer
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
405.522.5479
July 30, 2019 
Vesicular Stomatitus Virus Confirmed in Oklahoma Equine
 
OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. — On July 29, 2019, the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry confirmed the finding of vesicular stomatitis virus, also known as VSV, at a premise in Tillman county. This horse showed erosions in its mouth. 
VSV is a viral disease of horses, donkeys, mules, cattle and swine. Initial symptoms include excessive salivation and reluctance to eat or drink. Clinical signs include vesicles, erosions and sloughing of the skin on the muzzle, tongue, ears, teats and coronary bands of their hooves. Lameness or weight loss may follow. Body temperature may rise immediately before or at the same time lesions first appear. 
In 2019, VSV has been reported in Texas, Colorado, New Mexico and Wyoming. This is the first outbreak since 2015-2016 and the first case in Oklahoma since the 1990s. 
What Livestock Owners Need to Know:
VSV affects primarily horses and cattle.
VSV normally has an incubation period of 2-8 days before the infected animal develops blisters that swell and burst, leaving painful sores.
The virus can be transmitted through direct contact with infected animals or by 

blood-feeding insects.
If VSV is confirmed, infected animals are quarantined for 14 days after clinical signs of lesions are observed. This short-term quarantine helps prevent the movement of animals and the spread of the disease to other premises, fairs or markets.
Humans can also become infected with VSV, but it is a very rare event. 
Recommended Actions: 
There is currently no USDA-approved vaccination for VSV. Even with the best defensive measures, VSV could infect a herd. 
However, these tips could help protect livestock: 
Control biting flies
Keep equine stalled or under a roof at night to reduce exposure to flies 
Keep stalls clean
Feed and water stock in individual buckets 
Don’t visit any premise that is under quarantine
Veterinarians and livestock owners who suspect VSV in their animals should immediately contact the OK State Veterinarians office at (405) 522-6141.
###
 


For a complete list of requirements for travel into the state of Oklahoma, please go to: http://www.ag.ok.gov/ais/equine.htm

Please be aware that horses and livestock traveling to affected Counties will need to be examined by a veterinarian and have a CVI within five days of returning to Oklahoma. Horses and livestock being imported into Oklahoma must meet the same requirements.
 
Rule: 35:15-11-20. Requirements regarding vesicular stomatitis
     Any livestock (equine, bovine, porcine, caprine, ovine, or cervidae) entering Oklahoma from a county where vesicular stomatitis has been diagnosed within the last thirty (30) days or a county that contains a premises quarantined for vesicular stomatitis shall be accompanied by a certificate of veterinary inspection dated within five (5) days of entry containing the following statement: "All animals identified on this certificate of veterinary inspection 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."

 There are new affected premises and new affected counties in Texas, New Mexico, and Colorado. The most current situation report is here: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/downloads/animal_diseases/vsv/sitrep-7-08-19.pdf
 
For more information about the disease and past outbreaks go here: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/animalhealth/animal-disease-information/cattle-disease-information/vesicular-stomatitis-info