We are nearing our goal of Brucellosis eradication in Oklahoma and the nation. For a state to attain Class Free status, twelve months must pass with no affected herds disclosed. As of November 1, 2000. Currently there are 46 Class Free states with three additional states expected to attain Class Free status within the next few months. As of November 1, 2000, there were two known affected herds in the United States; one in Texas and one in Florida. This compares to 7 affected herds on January 1, 2000. Thirty-two newly affected herds were found nationally during the year of 1999. Four of these were Oklahoma herds, all of which have been depopulated.

Due to the probability that Texas will not attain Class Free status for another one to three years, Oklahoma will need to maintain its surveillance system until the threat of importing brucellosis is past.

Other reportable cattle diseases this agency monitors and/or maintains surveillance for are: Tuberculosis, Paratuberculosis (Johne's Disease), Anthrax, Scabies, Screw Worms, Bovine Piroplasmosis, Malignant Catarrhal Fever and all Vesicular Diseases. An uncontrolled outbreak of any of these diseases could have a negative impact on export of our cattle.

Johne’s Disease Eradication Program
Tuberculosis Testing Requirements For Dairy Breeds Selling in Oklahoma
National Animal Identification System Premise Registration Form
Change of Ownership Requirements for Dairy/Beef Cattle, Bison And Horses
Special Livestock Sale Permit and Rules

The Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Animal Industry Services works with horse owners throughout the state to protect our equine population (there are an estimated 278,000 horses in our state) from the introduction of disease and to insure that they are able to move interstate and internationally.

Oklahoma has facilities approved to complete the testing and quarantine required for animals that are exported internationally. In 2000, 659 Oklahoma horses were exported to 15 different countries including South America, Asia, all of Europe, Mexico, Canada and Japan. Oklahoma Department of Agriculture's disease monitoring and control programs insures that these horse owners continue to be able to import and export their animals.

Equine Viral Arteritis (EVA) is a reportable disease in Oklahoma. While EVA is typically not life-threatening to otherwise healthy adult horses, EVA is of special concern to horse breeders because it can cause abortion in pregnant mares, death in young foals, and breeding stallions may become permanent carriers of the virus. The increase in international trade of horses and semen for artificial insemination has increased the risk of passing equine arteritis virus from one equine population to another. In 1984, there was an EVA epidemic in America's Thoroughbred industry, which led major restrictions by the international community on the movement of horses from the United States.

Many horses exposed to equine arteritis virus will develop no signs of the disease. If illness does occur, usually within 3 to 7 days of exposure, diagnosis can be difficult because EVA is clinically similar to several other equine diseases such as Equine Rhinopneumonitis, Influenza, Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA) and Purpura Hemmorrhagica. Clinical signs vary in severity and can last from 2 to 14 days. They include:

• Fever
• Swelling, primarily of legs, scrotum, sheath, or mammary glands.
• Loss of appetite
• Depression
• Conjunctivitis (inflammation, discharge, and swelling around the eyes)
• Nasal discharge
• Skin rash (frequently localized on the head and neck)
• Abortion in pregnant mares
• Pneumonia and death in young foals.

Laboratory testing is necessary to diagnose EVA, a blood test to screen for the presence of antibodies to the virus is the most commonly used test. Equine arteritis virus can be transmitted among horses in several ways:

• Respiratory-an acutely infected horse spreads the virus via respiratory secretions (this type of transmission commonly occurs at shows, sales, and racetracks)
• Venereal-the virus is shed in the semen of an infected stallion and is transmitted when mares are bred.
• Indirect contamination-tack or equipment shared among horses may serve as an infection source.
• In utero-the virus passed across the placenta from an infected mare to her unborn foal.

Some stallions infected with equine arteritis virus may become permanent carriers of the virus. Stallions may show no clinical signs of the disease, yet the virus remains in the reproductive tract indefinitely. The virus may be passed to mares via the semen when they are bred, whether through live cover or artificial insemination.

The good news about EVA is that it can be controlled. Infection with equine arteritis virus stimulates a very strong and probably lifelong immunity. A vaccine is available that also produces immunity, however this immunity leads to a positive antibody test result which may make horses ineligible for export to some countries.

Sound management practices can help prevent and control EVA:

• Isolate all new arrivals (and returning horses) to your farm for 3 to 4 weeks.
• If possible, segregate pregnant mares from other horses.
• Blood test all breeding stallions for equine arteritis virus antibodies.
• Check semen of any unvaccinated, antibody positive stallions to identify carriers before breeding.
• Vaccinate all non-carrier breeding stallions annually at least 4 weeks before the start of each breeding season (remember that the positive test resulting from vaccination may present a problem with international export).
• Maintain any equine arteritis virus carrier stallions in isolation.
• Restrict breeding equine arteritis virus carrier stallions to vaccinated mares or mares which test positive for n aturally acquired antibodies to the virus.
• Vaccinate mares against EVA at least 3 weeks prior to breeding to a known carrier stallion.
• Isolate mares vaccinated for the first time against EVA for 3 weeks following breeding to an equine arteritis virus carrier stallion (there is no need to revaccinate mares for rebreeding).
• In breeds or areas with high rates of EVA infection, vaccinate all intact males between 6 and 12 months of age as advised by your veterinarian.

For additional information on this or other equine diseases, contact the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Animal Industry Services at (405) 522-6124.

The Oklahoma Horse Industry Council is a non-profit grass roots organization representing the entire horse industry from recreational horse owners to professional horsemen, embracing all activities, disciplines, and breeds.

Equine Herpesvirus Fact Sheet

The primary responsibility of the Oklahoma swine program is to participate in a nationwide effort to eradicate two major diseases. These diseases, pseudorabies and swine brucellosis, have presently been eliminated from the Oklahoma domestic swine population. Through testing requirements for swine entering Oklahoma from other states, and exhibitions where large numbers of animals are congregated, we hope to avoid any introduction of these diseases from other states. A program has been developed to test feral (wild) swine to determine the incidence of pseudorabies and swine brucellosis in these animals as a reservoir of potential risk to domestic swine. We also monitor all large swine production units as a surveillance method to provide early detection of either of these diseases.

Oklahoma is classified a Stage V state in the national pseudorabies eradication program and a Free State in the national swine brucellosis eradication program. Stage V and Free means there is no known infection, but we continue to monitor. Being Stage V and Free reduces the restriction and testing requirements for interstate shipment.

Oklahoma has experienced tremendous growth of the swine industry. Working with neighboring states and industry representatives we have initiated measures to streamline the requirements for interstate movement. This has reduced paperwork and other expenses for the benefit of industry and our Agency.

Special Swine Sale Permit and Rules
Swine Exhibition Permit

This section promotes the poultry industry by monitoring various diseases. We certify the commercial industry free of these diseases in order to maintain international markets.

The major disease, Pullorum-Typhoid, is monitored statewide through the National Poultry Improvement Plan (NPIP). Oklahoma is a Pullorum-Typhoid Free state. As part of this program we instruct and certify individuals to be NPIP licensed poultry testers and have over 700 poultry flocks certified free of this disease. Since Pullorum-Typhoid is spread through the egg to the newly hatched chicks, each of Oklahoma’s commercial hatcheries, as well as many of the smaller hatcheries for quail, pheasant, turkey, guineas, grouse, waterfowl, game birds, and chickens are routinely inspected to assure the disease is not present.  State and county fairs, exhibitions and poultry shows are routinely visited and poultry are tested to ensure no presence of the disease.

Avian Influenza and Bio-Secrity Links-USDA
Poultry Supply order Form
NPIP Flock Owner's Application
Avian Exhibition Permit and Rules

Livestock to be imported into Oklahoma must meet certain conditions and test requirements prior to entry. These requirements are to help prevent the possible introduction or transmission of an infectious, or contagious disease, to protect our citizens and livestock industry, and to insure higher profits through safer products and investments for Oklahoma producers.

The import/export section issues import permits and quarantines for livestock that are required to be retested negative for a disease. We assist the Department of Wildlife by issuing permits for exotic and other wildlife animals. All health certificates are routed through this sections and checked for completeness and accuracy.  Producers and veterinarians are assisted with clarification of requirements to move animals into Oklahoma or another state as well as many foreign countries.  To obtain a permit or information on import requirements, please call (405) 522-6141.

Animal Import Requirements
Cervidae Import Rules and Permit Application Form