Contagious equine metritis: the present situation reviewed and a revised code of practice for its control.

The research article discusses the revised code of practice established for the control of the contagious equine metritis (CEM) disease during the 1979 breeding season, incorporating the knowledge acquired over the past year.

Objective of the Report

• The primary objective of this report is to present the revised code of practice for managing contagious equine metritis (CEM), a contagious sexual disease in horses. This document was prepared under the supervision of a scientific committee formed by the Horserace Betting Levy Board, led by Sir David Evans, FRS.

Revisions in the Code

• The revised code is nearly identical to the one that was implemented for the 1978 breeding season. However, improvements have been made to the new code based on the experience and knowledge obtained during the previous year.

Uniform Policy Approach

• The committee behind the report engaged in discussions with peers in Ireland to come up with a similar code of practice. The purpose of this communication was to establish a consistent policy for managing CEM in the United Kingdom and Ireland. Establishing a uniform policy approach would help ensure that measures taken in both regions are consistent and complement each other in controlling the spread of CEM.

Dissemination of Information

• A summarised version of the report will be distributed amongst owners of thoroughbred mares and stallions. This dissemination aims to inform horse breeders about the revised practices for managing and controlling CEM, encouraging them to adhere to the updated code to keep their horses in optimal health condition during the breeding season.