2010 07 16 USDA testing for Contagious Equine Metritis continues until August 2010 America's Horse Daily

The USDA has initiated the testing of breeding stallions to demonstrate that the U.S. equine population is free of CEM.

Information provided by the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

The USDA is continuing the testing of breeding stallions around the United States for the bacterium that causes contagious equine metritis. The testing is being carried out to help demonstrate that the United States equine population is free of CEM or, if CEM exists here, it is only present at a very low level.

The testing effort will continue until August 2010, so there is still time for owners of active breeding stallions to participate. USDA will pay the shipping and diagnostic laboratory testing costs for one set of samples, if stallion owners pay the costs associated with collection of those samples by a USDA-accredited equine veterinarian.

To participate, stallion owners need to get the approval of the USDA-APHIS area veterinarian in charge, or the state animal health official (e.g., state veterinarian), for the state in which the stallion is to be sampled.

To date, no stallions have been found positive as part of this national testing effort, and there is only a very small chance that any stallions will be found positive. However, if a positive stallion is found, USDA will pay all costs associated with treating and re-testing that stallion until he is confirmed to be CEM-free.

To learn more:

1. Testing Additional Stallions for Contagious Equine Metritis.
   
2. Recient Out Breaks of Contagious Equine Metritis in U.S.
   
3. Additional Information