How does a horse get Potomac Horse Fever?

The Causes of Potomac Horse Fever Horses pick up the disease by grazing near freshwater creeks, rivers or even on irrigated pastures. When they ingest the insects carrying PHF, they also pick up the bacteria. Additionally, horses can also become infected by drinking water that contains free-living flatworms.

Is Potomac fever in horses contagious?

Potomac Horse Fever is not contagious. If more than one horse at the same location contracts the disease, it is because of the environmental conditions that draw the vectors. The disease causes colitis, dehydration and diarrhea.

Is Potomac fever fatal?

Potomac horse fever is a serious, potentially fatal disease caused by a bacteria called Neorickettsia risticii. First described in 1979 in Maryland near the Potomac River, the disease has since spread to numerous locations in the United States, Canada, and Europe.

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 kind of disease is Potomac Horse Fever?

Potomac Horse Fever (PHF) is a potentially-fatal febrile illness affecting horses caused by the intracellular bacterium Neorickettsia risticii.

What causes horse fever in the United States?

Potomac horse fever, which first appeared in the United States more than 20 years ago, is caused by the bacterium Neorickettsia risticii.

What causes diarrhea and fever in a horse?

(Equine monocytic ehrlichiosis, Ditch fever, Shasta River crud, Equine ehrlichial colitis) 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.

Where can you find horse fever in the wild?

N. risticii has been detected by PCR in adult trematodes in the intestines of bats, birds, and amphibians. In endemic areas, clinical cases are strongly associated with rivers, lakes, or other aquatic habitats.