The spread of strangles in Nevada has slowed significantly over the last two weeks; however, there are reports of new cases, predominantly in western Nevada, as recently as March 12, the state Department of Agriculture reported March 14.

Though the Nevada Department of Agriculture (NDA) has not issued any additional requirements, the Nevada High School Rodeo Association’s executive secretary said the association has elected to require a health inspection within 72 hours for all horses that will be competing at the Moapa Valley High School Rodeo.

“I support this requirement as a way of limiting potential exposure of more horses to the disease,” said state veterinarian JJ Goicoechea, DVM. “We recommend and encourage horse owners to remain vigilant in their biosecurity measures, doing everything they can to reduce the chances of the spread of disease and continue decreasing exposure.”

Nevada Certificates of Veterinary Inspection for interstate movement can be used for these intrastate inspections; veterinarians can simply write “for intrastate use” on the certificate, the NDA said. A negative equine infectious anemia test is not required for this intrastate use