LCCC implements livestock transportation requirements to prevent spread of Vesicular Stomatitis

The recent outbreak of Vesicular Stomatitis (VS) has caused Laramie County Community College to tighten its biosecurity measures, especially around the areas where the college houses its horses, pigs, sheep and cattle.

Any livestock entering LCCC grounds will be required to comply with the directives issued by Wyoming State Veterinarian Dr. Jim Logan. All livestock coming from Colorado or Texas (the two states where the disease has been diagnosed) must be accompanied by a health certificate written by a veterinarian within 10 days of the animal’s entry to LCCC grounds. The health certificate must also include a statement from the veterinarian that the animal or animals have been visually examined, show no signs of infection, and have not been exposed to any VS-infected animals.

Please note that this is a change from the usual health certificate requirement. Ordinarily, a health certificate is required within 30 days of its crossing state lines. Due to the VS outbreak, the 10-day requirement is an effort to further guard against the spread of the disease.

In addition, all livestock coming from states other than Colorado or Texas, including Wyoming, must have a health certificate issued within 30 days of the animal’s entry to campus.

We recognize these rules are more stringent than the federal livestock transportation laws, but we feel they are necessary to protect not only the livestock owned by the college and the college’s students, but also to protect the animals coming in. Vesicular Stomatitis is not usually a fatal disease, but it causes blister-like lesions and erosions in the mouth and on the lips, muzzle, udder, genitals and coronary bands of the hooves. Oral lesions cause excessive salivation and a foul odor, and affected animals refuse to eat and lose body condition rapidly. Due to the highly infectious nature of the disease, infected animals – and those in pens nearby –must be quarantined for several weeks.

If you are bringing animals to LCCC during the period of August 16 through August 23, please plan to arrive between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. LCCC Barn Crew Manager Tom Kelly will be on campus during those hours, and he will check your veterinary papers before you will be allowed to unload your livestock. If you must arrive outside those hours, please arrange an appointment with Kelly in advance. He can be reached by calling 307-286-1848 or by emailing tkelly@lccc.wy.edu. In the event of an emergency, please contact LCCC Campus Safety at 307-778-1122.