A STALLION at a premises in Co Galway has tested positive for a rare and highly contagious venereal infection – the first Irish horse in 30 years to show signs of the infection.

The Department of Agriculture says laboratory tests have confirmed the presence of Contagious Equine Metritis (CEM) in a non-thoroughbred stallion.

The infection was found in routine pre-breeding testing. The same horse had tested negatively for the infection for each of the past three years. A second stallion at the premises in question was also negative, as were all other horses on site.

“The premises itself has been restricted and a full epidemiological investigation is now underway focusing on the infected premises and recently inseminated mares,” the Department of Agriculture said.

“CEM infections are treatable with good outcomes and the infected stallion in this single case will be treated under veterinary control.”

The infection, which does not affect humans, can be transferred between stallions and mares at breeding time, or potentially in the use of contaminated semen from infected stallions.

The Department has urged breeders and vets to follow codes of practice laid down by Horse Sport Ireland and the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association in order to ensure that all stallions, mares and teasers – non-breeding stallions used to determine whether a mare is ready for freeding – are tested and cleared negative of the infection before any breeding is carried out.

The infection can be treated with antibiotics and local disinfectant.

Irish horse exports were worth some €157.5 million to the Irish economy in 2010, with almost €140 million raised from trading horses to Britain.