Protecting animal health in Arkansas requires early detection, swift response, and strong communication between producers, veterinarians, and animal health officials. The Arkansas Department of Agriculture monitors a wide range of reportable animal diseases to help safeguard livestock, poultry, and public health across the state.
Reportable diseases are infectious or contagious conditions that must be reported to animal health authorities when detected in livestock, poultry, or other animals. Prompt reporting helps contain outbreaks, guide response efforts, and prevent widespread animal illness.
If you suspect or confirm a reportable disease in animals, contact the Department immediately at (501) 225-1598.
Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease
Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus 2 (RHDV-2) is a highly contagious and often fatal disease that affects both wild and domestic rabbits. It does not infect humans or other species such as dogs and cats. RHDV-2 can spread rapidly through:
- Direct contact between rabbits
- Contact with infected urine, feces, or blood
- Contaminated equipment, bedding, feed, or water
- Indirect transmission via clothing, shoes, and hands of caretakers
Common signs of RHDV-2 include sudden death, lethargy, loss of appetite, and difficulty breathing.
Testing and Vaccination
There is currently no reliable serological test to distinguish RHDV1 from RHDV2 in live rabbits. The USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) does not recommend live animal testing for regulatory purposes.
The RHDV-2 vaccine is regulated by USDA-APHIS and is only authorized for use in states where the disease is considered endemic (confirmed in wild or feral rabbits). Importing the vaccine involves considerable time and cost and is not broadly available.
Import Restrictions for Rabbits and Hares
No rabbits or hares may enter Arkansas from a state or country with a confirmed case of RHD (either strain) in the past 12 months unless a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) is issued by an accredited veterinarian within 48 hours of shipment. The CVI must state:
- All rabbits/hares were examined and found free of communicable disease.
- Animals originated from a single premises with no signs of disease.
- No elevated rectal temperatures were observed.
- No new rabbits/hares have been introduced to the premises within 30 days.
- No contact has occurred with wild rabbits or hares within 30 days.
An Arkansas entry permit number must be recorded on the CVI.
Biosecurity Recommendations
Biosecurity is the best protection against RHDV-2. Rabbit owners are encouraged to take the following precautions:
- Avoid contact with other rabbits, caretakers, or shared equipment.
- Dedicate footwear to rabbit housing; do not wear rabbit shed shoes outside.
- Fence off areas to prevent wildlife access to feed and water.
- Isolate new animals before introducing them to your facility.
- Sanitize cages, waterers, and feed containers regularly.
Additional Resources
Vesicular Stomatitis Virus
Vesicular Stomatitis Virus (VSV) is a contagious viral disease that affects horses, cattle, swine, sheep, goats, and other livestock. It can cause painful sores and lesions in and around the mouth, nose, and hooves, which can lead to weight loss, lameness, and decreased productivity.
To protect Arkansas livestock, the Arkansas Department of Agriculture closely monitors for signs of VSV, and updates animal entry requirements as needed based on disease activity in other states and any findings within Arkansas. This section will be updated if VSV becomes a threat to Arkansas livestock.
Ongoing Monitoring
Livestock inspectors are stationed at auction barns and equine events across the state. These inspectors observe animals and verify documentation to help prevent disease introduction and spread. The Department collaborates with the USDA and other states to monitor outbreaks and update movement requirements accordingly.
Entry Requirements
When VSV is confirmed in other states, Arkansas may implement special entry requirements for equine species (horses, donkeys, mules, miniatures, etc.) originating from affected or adjacent counties.
When activated, these requirements may include:
- A Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) issued within 5 days of movement.
- CVI signed by a USDA Category 2 accredited veterinarian in the state of origin.
- Documentation of animal’s rectal temperature, current negative EIA “Coggins” test with lab verification, and Arkansas entry permit number.
- A signed statement confirming: “All animals identified on this Certificate of Veterinary Inspection have been examined and are free from signs or lesions of vesicular stomatitis virus infection. The owner attests the animals have had no direct or indirect contact with any VSV-quarantined or suspect premises within the past 30 days.”
VSV – Frequently Asked Questions
What is VSV?
Vesicular Stomatitis Virus (VSV) is a viral disease that primarily affects horses and cattle, and occasionally swine, sheep, goats, llamas, and alpacas. Signs of VSV are slobbering, blisters, sores, and sloughing of skin in the mouth and on the tongue; raw ulcers on the muzzle, inside the ears or on the coronary bands (hairline at top of the hooves), and the teats/prepuce/vulva/anus. After lesions become established, lameness may be evident, and eventually, weight loss may be evident due to reluctance to eat or drink. Lesions will usually heal in 2 or 3 weeks and most animals recover with supportive care. Animal owners should consult their local veterinarian with questions specific to their animals.
Why is VSV such a big deal?
VSV is highly contagious and resembles Foot-and-Mouth Disease as well as other severe vesicular diseases such as Swine Exanthema. Animal health officials urge livestock owners and caretakers to report the signs of disease (described above) to their closest veterinarian immediately. Foreign animal diseases are a threat to our livestock and related industries, and it is essential to quickly confirm a diagnosis with laboratory testing.
Of all the vesicular diseases, VSV is the only one that affects horses. Vesicles on equines, as well as on other farm species, are suggestive of infection. Many states and other countries restrict movement or impose additional requirements for the entry of susceptible animals from areas with known VSV cases. Before moving livestock across any border, contact the state animal health division of the desired destination for any added requirements.
Do outbreaks happen often in Arkansas?
The Southwestern and Western United States have experienced several VSV outbreaks. Outbreaks usually occur during the warmer months and often along waterways. The USDA Animal Plant Health Inspection Service reports that the largest VSV outbreak in more than 40 years of records occurred in 2019 while another widespread event occurred in 2015.
How does VSV spread?
VSV is spread by flies, gnats, and midges that are the recognized vectors. The virus can be spread by direct contact with infected livestock and indirectly through contact with contaminated water tanks, feed bunks, and tack.
What can I do to prevent infection of my animals?
There is no vaccine available for VSV, and treatment is supportive (nursing care). Old or chronically ill animals may succumb to VSV infection. Being off feed for a week or two can impair a performance or breeding animal. Fly control directed at eliminating fly breeding habitat is the most important step in preventing the disease. When possible In locations where VSV infection is found, livestock owners should move their healthy animals away from running water (creeks, rivers) to dryer ground until the insect vector season subsides as VSV vectors like to reproduce near moving water. Generally, insect vector populations will subside in cooler weather (after a frost).
The use of “Fly Wipes” may help. Some bugs prefer the thin skin on the muzzle, ears, and prepuce/vulvar regions. Be sure to apply repellents in those regions. Others will reside near the grass and affect the feet and underbelly. Good sanitation such as clean paddocks and removal of manure piles, and the use of biosecurity measures can help avoid exposure.
Isolating animals is the easiest and most effective way to be safe and biosecure. Do not take your animals to locations that pose a risk or let other animals be transported to your location if you are not sure of the herd/group disease status. Incubation periods range from 2-10 days. A visiting animal without signs or lesions could be incubating VSV and deliver it to your animals or be bitten by your resident flies and then spread VSV on your premises. Avoid animal-related events like trail rides, rodeos, playdays, etc. in affected areas during outbreak periods.
What is done to control VSV outbreaks?
To control VSV outbreaks, premises with confirmed positive and suspect cases are quarantined and then monitored by federal veterinarians for at least 14 days from the onset of lesions in the last animal affected on the quarantined premise. The Arkansas State Veterinarian imposes a quarantine on the premises for at least 30 days after initiation of a disease investigation (first notice for a confirmed or suspected case on that premises).
Can humans get VSV?
Humans rarely contract VSV, but it can happen. While uncommon, human infections may manifest in people caring for VSV infected animals. Symptoms in people are headaches, joint pain, general flu-like feelings of discomfort, and respiratory disease is possible.