A stallion in Newmarket awaiting export to Australia has tested positive for Contagious Equine Metritis (CEM).
Contagious equine metritis (CEM) is a transmissible, exotic, venereal disease of horses caused by the bacterium Taylorella equigenitalis. Thoroughbred horses appear to be more severely affected by the disease than other breeds. Because animals may be asymptomatic, the disease is difficult to detect and control. There is no evidence that CEM affects people.
CEM is a serious disease because it is highly contagious. When coupled with the fact that mares can be bred only during certain seasons, CEM can have a devastating effect on equine reproductive efficiency. Should CEM become established in the United States, the horse industry would suffer great economic losses.
A routine swab revealed the disease last week. CEM is a venereally transmitted bacterial disease, which was first reported in the UK in 1977. It is notifiable in Britain. The case has been reported to a Divisional Veterinary Manager at DEFRA (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs).
CEM can be spread through contaminated water, utensils and instruments; on the hands of staff and veterinary surgeons who handle the tail and genital area of the mare, or the penis of the stallion or teaser; and through genital to genital or nose to genital contact between stallions/teasers and mares.
The species of bacteria likely to cause CEM are Taylorella equigenitalis, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
CEM can lead to infertility and cause a mare to abort her foal. It can be treated with anitbiotics.
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