Contagious Equine Metritis
Defra are in the very early stages of a disease investigation following confirmation of Contagious Equine Metritis in a horse in South East England (note: as far as we can establish at this stage, this is a separate incident to the case reported in July). Investigations are continuing, but in the meantime I thought you would want to be aware of the latest information (copied below) following confirmation of disease earlier this afternoon.
No further information is available at this stage.
Richard Hopley, Project Leader, Exotic Diseases Policy Programme
Office: +44 (0)20 238 6361 |GTN: 238 6361|richard.hopley@defra.gsi.gov.uk
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs| Nobel House| London| SW1P 3JR| United Kingdom
www.defra.gov.uk/
LATEST INFORMATION – 22 October 2010
Contagious Equine Metritis has been confirmed in a horse in Buckinghamshire.
Restrictions have been put in place and veterinary investigation is underway.
Control measures will be in line with the Horse Betting Levy Board (HBLB) Codes of Practice. (available on the web http://www.hblb.org.uk/document.php?id=43)
Background:
Contagious equine metritis (CEM) is a reproductive disease of horses that is transmitted both at mating and indirectly, for example, through contaminated instruments and the hands of staff.
First reported in the UK in 1977, the last reported case was in July 2009.
CEM is a notifiable disease under the Infectious Diseases of Horses Order 1987.
CEM can be treated under the direction of a Veterinary Surgeon. After the treatment regime is completed, repeat swabs must be negative on at least three separate specified occasions.
There are no human health implications associated with this disease.
Further details are available on the website http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/diseases/notifiable/cem/index.htm