CEM Outbreak

Starting December of 2008, The United Stated Department of Agriculture and the American Horse Council (AHC) have been looking into an outbreak of contagious equine metritis (CEM), a transmissible venereal disease found in horses. At this point, fourteen horses have tested positive (three mares and eleven stallions). Six hundred possible outbreak locations in forty five states have also been identified. The positive stallions were found in Kentucky, Indiana, Wisconsin and Texas, the mares in California, Wisconsin, and Illinois.

The transmission rate of Contagious Equine Metritis is high and naturally occurs by mating, but artificial insemination with infected semen and contaminated instruments can also be a source of infection. CEM can lead to infertility and spontaneous abortion in mares, but no clinical signs have been found in stallions. CEM can be treated with disinfectants and antibiotics.

The USDA will continue to fund testing, and the AHC will continue to monitor the situation. Canada has imposed restrictions on transport due to the outbreak. To view these restrictions, please follow the link to view those restrictions: www.aphis.usda.gov/regulations/vs/iregs/animals/animal_canada2.shtml

For more information, visit www.horsecouncil.org


Information courtesy of the American Horse Council
Posted by State Office at 3/4/2009 11:20 AM
Categories: uncategorized
Tags: CEM disease Contagious Equine Metritis contagious Department of Agriculture
 

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