Alert<\/p>\n
Texas Animal Health Commission<\/p>\n
Box l2966 * Austin, Texas 78711 * (800) 550-8242 * FAX (512) 719-0719 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0<\/p>\n
Bob Hillman, DVM * Executive Director<\/p>\n
For info, contact Carla Everett, information officer, at 1-800-550-8242, ext. 710, or ceverett@tahc.state.tx.us<\/p>\n
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For immediately release:<\/p>\n
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.\u00a0 CEM can cause temporary infertility of horses.\u00a0 The disease, not known to affect humans, was first detected in the U.S. in 1978, then again in l979.\u00a0 In both instances, the infection was eradicated.<\/p>\n
In mid-December 2008, a CEM-infected quarter horse stallion was detected in Kentucky during routine testing for international semen shipment.\u00a0 The USDA and Kentucky animal health authorities quickly initiated an epidemiological investigation, leading to the testing of more horses.\u00a0 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.<\/p>\n
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.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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.\u00a0 Testing of the 15 horses in Texas will begin the week of January 5.\u00a0 Currently, Texas has no known CEM infection.<\/p>\n
As the epidemiological investigation widens, at least 250 additional horses are being traced in\u00a0more than 25 states.<\/p>\n
Dr. Ellis, Texas\u2019 assistant state veterinarian, stressed that CEM is spread by infected equine animals during breeding, not by casual contact or shared boarding facilities.\u00a0 CEM is a venereal\u00a0disease transmitted by infected stallions either during natural service or through artificial insemination.<\/p>\n
CEM-infected horses must be quarantined and treated with disinfectants and antibiotics over a period of several weeks.\u00a0 Following a course of successful treatment and re-evaluation, the animals may be certified CEM-negative and released from quarantine.<\/p>\n
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