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News Release
7-2-09
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE ANNOUNCES
NEW RULES FOR EQUINE HEALTH TESTING
Any equines (horses, donkeys, mules, etc.) being shown or sold within West Virginia must have had a negative Coggins test for Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA) within the past 12 months, according to new state rules that become effective July 1, 2009. However, fairs, festivals and equine shows will be granted a 90-day grace period before enforcement of Coggins rules becomes mandatory.
“Because so many youth have put so much effort into preparing for this year’s shows, we don’t want to turn them away – especially if they show up with a Coggins test that is only a couple of weeks out of date,” said Commissioner of Agriculture Gus R. Douglass. “After the grace period expires, equines without proper health certificates will not be allowed to unload at any sale or event.”
Commissioner Douglass said that the West Virginia Department of Agriculture’s (WVDA) Animal Health Division will maintain its presence at markets and livestock events to enforce the state’s animal health regulations and to exclude any obviously sick animals from shows and sales.
“This rule will protect our growing equine industry from EIA, which is incurable and cannot be vaccinated against,” said Commissioner Douglass. “It applies to auction markets, fairs and festivals – anywhere animals will be gathered in close quarters.”
A 2005 study conducted by the West Virginia University Extension Service estimated the economic impact of the industry to be nearly $510 million and the total number of equines at nearly 57,000.
Once an animal is infected with EIA, it must be euthanized, or subject to a lifelong quarantine where it cannot come into contact with other equines, said WVDA State Veterinarian Dr. Gary Kinder.
“The only way to prevent this disease is to avoid commingling infected animals with healthy ones,” said Dr. Kinder. “The disease is usually transmitted by biting flies which means it can spread very easily when animals are in close proximity.”
A previous rule allowed West Virginia equine owners to use negative Coggins tests up to two years old to certify the health of their animals. They now will have to have a negative test result no older than 12 months, as will equine owners bringing their animals into the state. West Virginia’s rules are now consistent with USDA standards.
Certificates of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) from other states are acceptable, as long as the certificate shows that the test was performed by a USDA-approved laboratory and the dates of test results conform to the 12-month limit, Dr. Kinder said.
WVDA animal health laboratories conduct Coggins testing, but blood samples must be submitted by a licensed veterinarian. Equine owners cannot send samples directly to the WVDA, Dr. Kinder added.
For more information on equine health testing, contact the WVDA Animal Health Division at 304-558-2214.
The West Virginia Department of Agriculture protects plant, animal and human health through a variety of scientific, regulatory and consumer protection programs, as mandated by state law. The Commissioner of Agriculture is one of six statewide elected officials in West Virginia. Currently, Commissioner Gus R. Douglass is the longest-serving agriculture commissioner in the nation. For more information, visit www.wvagriculture.org.
“The Basis of All Wealth is Agriculture.”
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