CFIA Removes Import Restrictions Related to Vesicular Stomatitis for Horses from Colorado

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has just removed the import restrictions related to vesicular stomatitis for horses from Colorado following the lifting of all the vesicular stomatitis quarantines in that Sate at the beginning of October. New Mexico remains affected and corresponding import restrictions remain in effect.

Vesicular Stomatitis is a reportable disease as per the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), meaning that horse owners must immediately report the presence of any horse suspected of being affected by the disease. The disease causes blister-like lesions to be formed on the inside of the mouth, nose and hooves, alongside flu like symptoms and anorexia.

As a result of the ongoing VS outbreak in New Mexico, the CFIA still has the following import and export policies for horses travelling to the United States effective until further notice:
The importation of horses from the State New Mexico (NM) for all end-uses is prohibited (except for Canadian horses returning from NM-please see below).

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For horses coming from the US, for all end-uses, from all other states, the following requirement applies:
During the previous twenty-one (21) days, the animal(s) in this shipment has/have not been in the state of New Mexico.

For Canadian Horses going to and returning from New Mexico:

It is still necessary that they bring their animals back to Canada with an import permit and a U.S. health certificate containing supplementary certification confirming their disease-free status.

Supplementary certification should include the following:
The horse(s) were inspected by a veterinarian within fifteen (15) days preceding the date of importation;
The horse(s) have not been on a premises where Vesicular Stomatitis (clinical or serology) has occurred during the 60 days immediately preceding exportation to Canada, nor has this disease occurred on any adjoining premises during the same period of time.
The horses must have tested negative to Vesicular Stomatitis using a cELISA test, during the fifteen (15) days prior to the date of importation into Canada.

Alternatively, they may move their horses to alternate states and establish residency in that state for at least 21 days prior to export to Canada. In that case, the horses will be returning to Canada on a U.S. health certificate that includes a statement for non-residency in New Mexico during the last 21 days prior to export to Canada (i.e.”During the previous twenty-one (21) days, the animal(s) in this shipment has/have not been in the state of New Mexico”).

Horses should not be moved to the state of Texas, where other disease restrictions are in place, and residency in these states affects import requirements.

Note: Various U.S. states may also prohibit movement into state without permit/certification/testing/post-entry testing. The Canadian horse owner should check state requirements before movement.

Equine piroplasmosis related import restrictions on Texas and New Mexico are still applicable.

Import conditions in AIRS have been adjusted accordingly.

Further information on vesicular stomatitis, its clinical signs and transmission can be found on the CFIA Vesicular Stomatitis Fact Sheet.