On May 23, 2024, the National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) in Ames, Iowa, reported confirmation by bacterial culture a positive case of Taylorella equigenitalis, the causative agent of contagious equine metritis (CEM), in an 11-year-old domestic pony mare in central Florida.
This is the first reported positive CEM test in the US since 2013. The mare had been bred by live cover on May 10 to a 3-year-old pony stallion. After breeding, the mare had retained free fluid in her uterus and was treated by uterine lavage on May 13. The uterine fluid was collected and sent for routine bacterial culture, which ultimately yielded the confirmed positive results for T. equigenitalis. The mare and the stallion are both being held under state quarantine in Florida and the stallion has been sampled for testing at NVSL with results pending. Traceback and epidemiological investigation is ongoing and additional updates will be posted as they become available.
Effective immediately the United States is considered affected with CEM. It’s important to review all live equine and equine germplasm export protocols for statements/requirements related to CEM to ensure all importing country requirements are being met prior to export. If you have country-specific questions, contact your local export trade service center.
You can stay current with ongoing updates here: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestock-poultry-disease/equine/contagious-equine-metritis
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