The USDA has added Oklahoma to the list of states approved to receive certain mares and stallions imported into the United States from regions affected with contagious equine metritis, a serious venereal disease of horses.

“Oklahoma has agreed to comply with our regulations to further ensure the horses’ freedom from CEM,” said Joan M. Arnoldi, deputy administrator for veterinary services with the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, a part of USDA’s marketing and regulatory programs mission area.

APHIS’ animal importation regulations require that mares and stallions over two-years-old imported for permanent entry into the United States from regions where CEM exists must be consigned to APHIS-approved states.

Oklahoma will enforce its state laws and regulations to control CEM by requiring inspection, treatment, and testing of horses, in accordance with APHIS regulations