What Is The Vector For Potomac Horse Fever?

Potomac horse fever (PHF) is an acute enterocolitis syndrome producing mild colic, fever, and diarrhea in horses of all ages, as well as abortion in pregnant mares. The causative agent is Neorickettsia risticii.

How is Potomac horse fever transmitted?

Transmission: Aquatic insects, such as caddisflies, mayflies, damselflies and dragonflies, containing the rickettsia-infected trematodes are ingested by the horse and the trematodes cause inflammation in the intestine. These insects are often accidentally ingested after dying on or near feed and water troughs.

What is the organism that causes Potomac horse fever?

Potomac horse fever (PHF), caused by an intracellular rickettsial organism called Neoricketsia ristcii, can affect horses especially during the months of the summer and fall.

Is Potomac horse fever a virus?

Potomac Horse Fever is a bacterial disease caused by the bacteria Neorickettsia risticii, which causes variable degrees (from mild to very severe) of fever, lethargy, poor appetite, diarrhea, mild colic, and laminitis in horses. It can can also infrequently cause abortion in pregnant mares.

What system does Potomac horse fever affect?

The infection of enterocytes of the small and large intestine results in acute colitis, which is one of the principal clinical signs of PHF. The disease occurs in spring, summer, and early fall and is associated with pastures bordering creeks or rivers.

How do you stop the spread of EHV?

Increase biosecurity measures since humans can inadvertently spread the infection on their hands, grooming equipment, etc.

1. Wash or sanitize your hands between interacting with each horse.
2. Take care when filling water buckets and feed tubs – neither the hose nor the feed scoop should have contact with the bucket or tub.

What bacteria causes equine herpesvirus?

Equine herpes viral respiratory disease is usually caused by EHV-4 and is most commonly seen in weaned foals and yearlings, often in autumn and winter.

How is EEE transmitted in horses?

It is spread by the bite of a mosquito infected with EEE virus (EEEV). EEEV can also infect a wide range of animals including mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians. The spread of EEEV to mammals (including humans and horses) occurs through the bite of infected mosquitoes that feed on both birds and mammals.

What is another name for Potomac Horse Fever?

Potomac Horse Fever (PHF) is a potentially-fatal febrile illness affecting horses caused by the intracellular bacterium Neorickettsia risticii. PHF is also known as Shasta River Crud and Equine Monocytic Ehrlichiosis.

How is CEM transmitted in horses?

How is CEM spread? Infection spreads through direct transmission of bacteria from mare to stallion or teaser or from stallion or teaser to mare at the time of mating or teasing. It is also transmitted to mares if semen used in artificial insemination (AI) comes from infected stallions.

What type of virus is equine herpesvirus?

EHV is a common DNA virus that occurs in horse populations worldwide. The two most common species are EHV-1, which causes abortion, respiratory disease and neurologic disease; and EHV-4, which usually causes respiratory disease only but can occasionally cause abortion and rarely neurological disease.

Do snails cause Potomac Horse Fever?

Freshwater snails are the source of the bacteria that causes Potomac horse fever. Horses may be exposed when drinking from creeks or rivers, and can then suffer from colic, fever, and diarrhea. Potomac horse fever has not been found to directly transmit from horse to horse.

Where is Potomac Horse Fever most common?

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• PHF has been reported from most states in the United States, five provinces in Canada, South America (Brazil, Uruguay), Europe (France, The Netherlands), and India.
• Horses of all breeds and ages may be affected, but PHF is not common in younger horses (<1 year).

How do you test for Potomac Horse Fever?

PCR is the optimal test to diagnose an acute infection of PHF. Serum can also be submitted for PHF Indirect Fluorescent Antibody (IFA) testing. Because the incubation period is 10-18 days, acutely ill animals often have an elevated PHF IFA titer. Vaccinated animals may have a titer in a similar range.

What is PHF vaccine for horses?

The currently available commercial vaccine is a killed, adjuvanted product, which is also available combined with rabies vaccine. The current vaccine is labelled as an aid in the prevention of Potomac Horse Fever and is not labeled for prevention of abortion.

Which drug is most effective against Potomac Horse Fever?

Antimicrobials found to be highly effective in treating EEC include intravenous oxytetracycline and the oral combination of erythromycin and rifampin.

How long does EHV last on surfaces?

Because EHV-1 can spread through contact with surfaces harboring the virus, you must know how long the germ stays viable on surfaces. Surfaces can keep the virus alive up to seven days in normal conditions and up to a month in ideal settings.

What kills EHV-1?

Clean your equipment. You can readily kill EHV-1 with many common disinfectants including diluted bleach, quaternary ammonium compounds, accelerated peroxide and peroxygen compounds, and iodophors.

Can a horse get EHV-1 more than once?

Latent virus can be reactivated during times of stress, such as with long-distance travel or strenuous exercise. Current estimates are that at least 60% of horses have a latent EHV-1 infection.

What causes viral infections in horses?

Common causes of viral respiratory tract infections in horses include: equine influenza (EIV), equine herpes (EHV-1 and -4), and Equine Rhinitis (ERAV).

What does EHV stand for?

Emergency Housing Voucher Program (EHV) | Homes and Community Renewal. Translate. English. Español.