Contagious Equine Merits (CEM) is a highly contagious venereal disease of equine and zebra caused by the bacterium Taylorella equigenitalis. It is associated with economic losses due to its detrimental effects on equine reproductive efficiency and the costs related to the treatment and testing for the diseases. CEM is mainly transmitted by both natural and artificial breeding but can also be transmitted by direct or indirect contact e.g. through shared grooming equipment, halters and even clothes and people. Horse that contact CEM may remain infected for life and treatment for diseases is difficult and expensive.
Horse owners are reminded of the importance of obtaining a CEM clearance certificate for all stallions prior to any breeding. The current surveillance measures prescribed in the DAFF letter dated 10 May 2016 remain in place as follows:

• All existing CEM clearance certificate are valid for two years from the date of issue;
• All new CEM clearance certificates will be valid for a period of two year from the date of issue;
• For semen donation, stallions will require an annual CEM clearance certificate.

The Stallion will be updated as more information becomes available. Detailed information on CEM can be found on the DAFF website on the following link: http://www/.daff.gov.za/daffweb3/Branches/Agricultural-Production-Health-Food-Saftey/Animal-Health/information/dahpolcy

The cooperation of all members of the horseracing industry is appreciated.

Review of Contagious Equine Merits (CEM) Surveillance Protocol and the Validity Extension of CEM Clearance Certificate

The Directorate Animal Health (DAH) has undertaken to review the existing CEM surveillance protocol with the aim of formulating a refined standard that will assist South Africa in its endeavour of self-declaration for CEM freedom. This decision was taken following from the equine industry regarding the existing surveillance protocol.
Targeted surveillance in stallion over the past 4 years has indicated no new positive cases of CEM, allowing us to adopt the following interim measures to encourage compliance with current CEM surveillance protocol which will be vital in South Africa’s self-declaration of CEM freedom;

• The validity of all existing CEM clearance certificates will be extended to a period of two years from the date of issue
• All new CEM clearance certificates issued will be valid for a period of two years from the date of issue
• For all semen donation, stallions will require an annual CEM clearance certificate

In the interest of the animal health status of South Africa, the continued co-operation of all members of the horse industry in applying and promoting the required screening and control measures for CEM is much appreciated.