KDA announces new entry requirements for CEM-exposed and at-risk mares.

Status update, January 7, 2009

4 STALLIONS (3 Quarter Horses and 1 American Paint) have been confirmed infected with the bacterium that causes Contagious Equine Metritis (CEM)
Each of these four stallions stood the 2008 season at a reproductive facility in Woodford County, specializing in stallion collection for artificial insemination.
3 of the 4 infected stallions continue to reside on the original premises with the fourth on another Woodford County facility.
5 additional stallions at the facility have cultured negative on an initial tests.

13 other stallions had left the facility and relocated out of state following the breeding season. 1 of these stallions has been returned to KY and is currently quarantined at a private quarantine facility.

The USDA’s Federal Veterinary Service is coordinating the testing and treatment of the stallions in other states.

MARES HAD BEEN BRED BY ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION TO A STALLION IDENTIFIED AS INFECTED – ARE CONSIDERED EXPOSED AND ARE QUARANTINED PENDING TESTS TO DETERMINE IF THEY TOO ARE INFECTED.

There is no evidence supporting or suggesting the organism has spread to any population outside the defined groups – which are being tested to determine the extent of the outbreak. Furthermore, Kentucky’s thoroughbred industry is not in anyway associated with or threatened by the disease incident.