Articles: 2009 Horse News
Texas Among 27 States Testing Horses for Contagious Equine Metritis (CEM)
Contact:
Texas Animal Health Commission
Box l2966 * Austin, Texas 78711 * (800) 550-8242 * FAX (512) 719-0719
Bob Hillman, DVM * Executive Director
For info, contact Carla Everett, information officer, at 1-800-550-8242,
ext. 710, or ceverett@tahc.state.tx.us
Texas is among 27 states tracing and testing horses that may have
been exposed to contagious equine metritis (CEM), a highly contagious
disease that can be transmitted during breeding or artificial
insemination. CEM can cause temporary infertility of horses. The
disease, not known to affect humans, was first detected in the U.S.
in 1978, then again in l979. In both instances, the infection was eradicated.
In mid-December 2008, a CEM-infected quarter horse stallion was
detected in Kentucky during routine testing for international semen
shipment. The USDA and Kentucky animal health authorities quickly
initiated an epidemiological investigation, leading to the testing of
more horses. To date, seven infected stallions have been detected:
four in Kentucky, and three in Indiana. The Indiana stallions had
spent part of the 2008 breeding season on the Kentucky premises where
the initial CEM case was detected.
As of January 2, 2009, 78 potentially exposed horses (nine stallions
and 69 mares) in 27 states have been identified and located, and
placed under hold order or quarantine by state animal health
authorities, pending test results.
In Texas, veterinarians from the Texas Animal Health Commission
(TAHC), the state regulatory agency for livestock health, have
contacted the owners of 14 mares and a stallion with epidemiological
links to the infected horses. Testing of the 15 horses in Texas will
begin the week of January 5. Currently, Texas has no known CEM infection.
As the epidemiological investigation widens, at least 250 additional
horses are being traced in
more than 25 states.
Dr. Ellis, Texas' assistant state veterinarian, stressed that CEM is
spread by infected equine animals during breeding, not by casual
contact or shared boarding facilities. CEM is a venereal
disease transmitted by infected stallions either during natural
service or through artificial insemination.
CEM-infected horses must be quarantined and treated with
disinfectants and antibiotics over a period of several
weeks. Following a course of successful treatment and re-evaluation,
the animals may be certified CEM-negative and released from quarantine.
Additional national CEM information may be obtained on the USDA's web
site at Website
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