2009 PRESS RELEASES

Click here to e-mail this page to a friend.

July 9, 2009
STATE VETERINARIAN ISSUES INTERSTATE/INTERNATIONAL QUARANTINE ORDER REGARDING VESICULAR STOMATITIS
Contact: Elaine Lidholm, 804.786.7686

Effective immediately, Dr. Richard L. Wilkes, State Veterinarian with the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, has issued a proclamation that bars hoofed animals in areas with vesicular stomatitis (VS) from entering Virginia.  Vesicular stomatitis is an infectious viral disease that primarily affects horses, cattle and swine.

VS causes affected livestock to develop blisters in the mouth and on the dental pad, hooves and teats. These blisters swell and break, leaving raw tissue that causes lameness and refusal to eat and drink.  The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is working with state officials to identify all cases of the disease and prevent its spread.

The disease has been reported in two states this year and the proclamation is designed to prevent its introduction into Virginia.  The following restrictions and conditions apply:

1. No hoofed animals which originate from a city or county where vesicular stomatitis has been diagnosed or which contains a premises currently quarantined for VS may enter the Commonwealth of Virginia.
2. All hoofed animals entering the Commonwealth of Virginia from a state in which vesicular stomatitis has been diagnosed since January 1, 2009 must be examined by an accredited veterinarian to determine that they are free from signs of vesicular stomatitis within five days prior to arrival into the Commonwealth of Virginia.  The animals must be accompanied by a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) stating that the veterinarian has examined the animals and found them to be free from signs of VS and that the veterinarian has received a veterinary history for the past 30 days indicating that the animals have not been exposed to VS or located within an area where VS has been diagnosed.  Horses of Virginia origin that participate in events, competitions, or are temporarily housed in a state that has diagnosed VS are also required to obtain a compliant CVI from an accredited veterinarian prior to the return to Virginia.
3. Hoofed animals destined for Virginia from a foreign country where vesicular stomatitis has been diagnosed will be quarantined at a port of entry designated by USDA/APHIS.  Upon release from quarantine, the animals may enter the Commonwealth.

The proclamation will remain in effect until rescinded by the State Veterinarian.  Click here for the full text of the proclamation. For more information, call 804.692.0601.