Texas

This is to notify everyone that the vesicular stomatitis (VS) quarantine on two horses on a Travis County, Texas, premises has been released. Currently, Texas has no animals or premises under quarantine for the sporadically occurring blistering disease that can affect horses, cattle, swine and a number of other species.

Until the threat of vesicular stomatitis (VS) ceases to exist, Dr. Bob Hillman, executive director of the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) has directed all Texas accredited veterinarians who write a certificate of veterinary inspection for any livestock moving interstate from Texas to make the following determination and provide this statement on the certificate:

"The animals represented on this certificate of veterinary inspection 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."

Furthermore, animals entering Texas from a state affected by vesicular stomatitis must have a current certificate of veterinary inspection with this statement.

Although the Texas VS quarantine has been released, it is still a good idea to call the state of destination prior to travel to ensure your animals have met all entry requirements.

Information about VS and case counts in affected states may be accessed through the web site for the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) at http://www.tahc.state.tx.us. The latest report indicates Arizona has 19 premises under quarantine, and New Mexico and Utah have two premises each under quarantine.

Date: 7/21/05