Infection with Chlamydophila abortus (Enzootic abortion of ewes, ovine chlamydiosis)

Article 14.4.1.

General provisions

For the purposes of the Terrestrial Code, enzootic abortion of ewes (EAE), also known as ovine chlamydiosis or ovine enzootic abortion, is an infection of domestic sheep and goats by the bacterium Chlamydophila abortus.

Susceptible animals become infected through ingestion of infectious materials. In lambs and non-pregnant ewes, the infection remains latent until conception. Ewes exposed to infection late in pregnancy may not exhibit signs of infection until the subsequent pregnancy. Countries should take account of these risk factors.

Standards for diagnostic tests are described in the Terrestrial Manual.

Article 14.4.2.

Recommendations for the importation of sheep or goats for breeding

Veterinary Authorities of importing countries should require the presentation of an international veterinary certificate attesting that the animals:

1. have remained since birth, or for the previous two years, in establishments where no EAE has been diagnosed during the past two years;

2. showed no clinical sign of EAE on the day of shipment;

3. were subjected to a diagnostic test for EAE with negative results within the 30 days prior to shipment.

Article 14.4.3.

Sheep flocks or goat herds free from EAE  infection

To qualify as free from EAE infection, a sheep flock or goat herd shall satisfy the following requirements:

1. it is under official veterinary surveillance;

2. all sheep and goats showed no clinical evidence of EAE infection during the past two years;

3. a statistically valid number of sheep and goats over six months of age were subjected to a diagnostic test for EAE with negative results within the past six months;

4. all sheep or goats are permanently identified;

5. no sheep or goat has been added to the flock or herd since 30 days prior to the flock or herd test referred to in point 3 above unless:

   1. either the additions were isolated from other members of the flock or herd in the establishment of origin for a minimum period of 30 days and then were subjected to a diagnostic test for EAE with negative results, before entry into the new flock or herd; or

   2. they originated from an establishment of equal health status.

Article 14.4.4.

Recommendations for the importation of semen of sheep or goats

Veterinary Authorities of importing countries should require the presentation of an international veterinary certificate attesting that the donor animals showed no clinical sign on the day of the semen collection; and

1. have been kept in establishments or artificial insemination centres free from EAE in accordance with Article 14.4.3. for the two years prior to collection, and have not been in contact with animals of a lower health status; or

2. have remained since birth, or for the two years prior to collection, in establishments where no EAE has been diagnosed and were subjected to a diagnostic test for EAE with negative results two to three weeks after collection of the semen.

Article 14.4.5.

Recommendations for the importation of embryos of sheep or goats

Veterinary Authorities of importing countries should require the presentation of an international veterinary certificate attesting that the donor animals showed no clinical sign on the day of collection; and

1. have been kept in establishments free from EAE in accordance with Article 14.4.3. for the two years prior to collection, and have not been in contact with animals of a lower health status; or

2. have remained since birth, or for the two years prior to collection, in establishments where no EAE has been diagnosed and were subjected to a diagnostic test for EAE with negative results two to three weeks after collection.

The embryos should be collected, processed and stored in accordance with Chapter 4.7.