OTTAWA, August 14, 2012: The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is implementing new import measures to protect Canadian livestock from an outbreak of vesicular stomatitis reported in Colorado, United States. These are in addition to the measures that were put in place in May 2012 as a result of an outbreak of vesicular stomatitis in New Mexico.
Effective immediately, horses originating from the State of Colorado will not be permitted to enter Canada. Canadian horses returning from Colorado will be allowed entry into Canada if additional import requirements are met. In addition, all horses entering Canada from the United States must be accompanied by official US documents certifying that they have not been in Colorado within the previous 21 days.
Details on these import measures can be found in the Automated Import Reference System (AIRS).
Vesicular stomatitis is a viral disease that can affect horses, ruminants (such as cattle, sheep and members of the deer and llama families) and swine. It can also cause influenza-like symptoms in people who come into contact with infected animals. Protective clothing should be worn when handling suspect animals to help prevent exposure to the virus.
Canada is currently free of vesicular stomatitis. It was last diagnosed in Canada in 1949. An outbreak of vesicular stomatitis in Canada could result in a loss of markets for live animals, meat and animal genetics.
For more information on vesicular stomatitis
- call 1-800-442-2342
- visit www.inspection.gc.ca
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