Rhode Island Code of Regulations › Title 250 - Department of Environmental Management › Chapter 40 - Agriculture and Resource Marketing › Subchapter 05 - Animal Health › Part 6 - Rules and Regulations Relating to the Importation of Equines from Contagious Equine Metritis Affected Countries › Section 250-RICR-40-05-6.9 - Quarantine and Biosecurity for Imported Equines

Current through June 14, 2024
A. All
				  horses in quarantine must be separated at all times. Horses may be ridden,
				  exercised, or turned out during CEM quarantine provided horses undergoing CEM
				  testing do not have physical contact with any other horses (unless contact is
				  required, such as breeding of stallions to test mares). Grooming and cleaning
				  supplies and tack must not be shared. All materials that have contact with a
				  quarantined equine must remain at the quarantine facility until the quarantine
				  is released.
B. Horses under
				  quarantine must not be bred; have semen, ova, or embryos collected; or be
				  subjected to genital examination or cleaning beyond what is required for CEM
				  testing as detailed below.
C.
Taylorella equigenitalis
may be transmitted by fomites,
				  especially contaminated reproductive equipment. Separate buckets, brushes,
				  sponges, tack, etc., must be used for each horse under quarantine. All reusable
				  equipment must be cleaned and disinfected between quarantines.
D. If an imported mare foals or aborts prior
				  to completing CEM testing, the aborted fetus, placental tissue, fetal
				  membranes, and amniotic fluid is considered a potential source of CEM
				  transmission. These materials, along with soiled bedding and any other
				  potentially contaminated materials from foaling, must be properly disposed of
				  to minimize any risk of
Taylorella equigenitalis
transmission.
				  If an imported mare aborts prior to completing CEM testing, the attending
				  accredited veterinarian must immediately notify the State Veterinarian upon the
				  confirmation by the accredited veterinarian that the mare has aborted. Such
				  notification shall be made by telephone at 401-222-3070 (DEM Division of Law
				  Enforcement, Emergency Dispatch).
E. Any horse that is found to be positive, or
				  non-negative, on any testing performed (serology or culture) must remain in
				  quarantine for additional treatment and testing until the horse is determined
				  to not be infected with
Taylorella equigenitalis
.
F. If, in the opinion of the State
				  Veterinarian, further testing or quarantine is necessary above and beyond that
				  required by the CFR, such conditions shall be fulfilled before the equine shall
				  be released from quarantine.
G. All
				  paddocks, pastures, and other exercise areas shall be fenced off so as to
				  prevent escape and any possible contact with other equines that are not
				  undergoing quarantine.
H. The
				  facility shall be constructed only with materials that can withstand repeated
				  cleaning and disinfection. All walls, floors and ceilings shall be constructed
				  of solid impervious material.
I.
				  Following the release of any equine from quarantine, the facility shall be
				  fully cleaned and disinfected with an anti-bacterial agent before any other
				  equine is placed therein.
J. All
				  equipment used in the stalls or on the animals shall be used on only one animal
				  and shall be fully disinfected with an anti-bacterial agent after that animal's
				  release from quarantine.
K. Access
				  to the facility shall be granted only to persons working at the quarantine
				  facility or to persons specifically granted such prior written approval for
				  such access by the supervising APHIS or State Veterinarian. An owner or his or
				  her agent or veterinarian may be admitted to the quarantine facility containing
				  his or her quarantined horse(s) at such intervals as may be imposed by the
				  State Veterinarian.