Update to the Contagious Equine Metritis investigation

February 9, 2009

• The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) continues to respond to the increasing detections of Taylorella equigenitalis, the bacterium that causes contagious equine metritis (CEM), first reported in the United States on  December 15, 2008.
• To date, potentially exposed animals have been identified in Alberta, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Saskatchewan and British Columbia. As a precaution, the CFIA has quarantined animals on the farms, and these measures will remain in place until all potentially exposed mares and their foals have tested negative for CEM.
• As investigations in Canada and the United States continue, animals on additional farms may be quarantined.
• Rounds of sampling are continuing and all test results to date have been negative. Some testing will not be completed until pregnant mares have given birth.
• Effective January 19, 2009, the CFIA implemented a requirement for additional certification for the import of live horses from the United States.
• The CFIA implemented new import requirements for horse germplasm (semen and embryos) on January 29, 2009.
• CEM is a transmissible venereal disease in horses. It is highly contagious and can affect the reproductive ability of infected mares. CEM is treatable with antibiotics.
• The CFIA will continue to work with the United States Department of Agriculture, provincial counterparts, affected producers and the equine industry in this response effort.
• Any horse owner or veterinarian who suspects a horse under their care may be infected with CEM must immediately contact their local CFIA District office.
• CEM is a federally reportable disease in Canada and there are international trade implications if a country loses its CEM-free status.
• There are no human health implications with this disease.