State Veterinarian Alerts Horse Owners to Cases of Potomac Horse Fever in Tennessee

The State Veterinarian is advising horse owners to be alert after another confirmed case of Potomac Horse Fever (PHF) in Tennessee. This week’s detection in a horse in Wayne County is in addition to two cases earlier this month in DeKalb and Rutherford Counties. Aquatic snail larvae and other intermediate hosts including flies are the source of the  bacteria that causes PHF.  There is a vaccine for PHF. Although it may not fully prevent infection in all cases, it does provide protection and minimizes the severity of disease if a horse is infected. Horse owners should consult their veterinarian to establish a vaccination schedule. Potomac horse fever has not been found to directly transmit from horse to horse nor is it a known threat to human health.