Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae (Movi)

In the western U.S., bighorn sheep populations have experienced severe and drastic populations losses (up to 75-95%) due to outbreaks of pneumonia, in some cases following interaction with domestic sheep and goats. Currently, these outbreaks are being attributed to the bacterium Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae (Movi), which is known to cause respiratory disease in wild sheep and goats, as well as livestock. Due to the structure of farms in Alaska, the risk of disease transmission from domestic livestock to wildlife is lower than in other areas of the country. However, Movi has now been detected in healthy Dall's sheep as well as mountain goats in Alaska with no evidence of illness or deaths. More research and monitoring is needed to determine if the Movi strains found in Alaska wild sheep and goats are similar to those in the Lower 48 that have been associated with high mortality events. More information and analyses are needed to characterize the Movi strains and determine how widespread Movi and other Mycoplasmas might be in Alaska.

For more information about Movi in Alaska's wild sheep and goats, visit the Alaska Department of Fish and Game wepages listed in the sidebar.

Updated Import Regulations Related to Movi

The Alaska Animal Import Regulations for goats and sheep (18 AAC 36.125 Goats and 18 AAC 36.135 Sheep) were amended in August 2021 to include requirements related to Movi testing. Goats and sheep imported into the state must now test negative for Movi not earlier than 60 days before import, and their health certificate must include certification of this test result.

For additional information about importing goats and sheep into Alaska, visit our Livestock Import/Export webpage, or contact our office at 907-375-8215 or akcvi@alaska.gov.