Tennessee State Veterinarian announces West Nile Virus confirmed in Weakly County
October 27, 2021
Nashville, TN – Tennessee’s state veterinarian confirms a horse in Weakley County, Tennessee tested positive for West Nile Virus (WNV). The horse was euthanized due to the severity of the case.
WNV is a mosquito-borne virus. Mosquitoes acquire WNV when they feed on infected birds and then spread the virus to people and other animals by biting them.
State Veterinarian Alerts Horse Owners to Case of West Nile Virus in Tennessee
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee recognizes Wes Montooth for Excellence in Service
March 1, 2020
Nashville, TN – Tennessee Governor Bill Lee has recognized Wes Montooth of the Tennessee Department of Agriculture with the Governor’s Excellence in Service Award. The biannual award recognizes outstanding state employees who elevate the way Tennessee State Government delivers services.
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee, Wes Montooth and First Lady Maria Lee.
West Nile Virus detected in Middle Tennessee Horse
November 9, 2019
Nashville, TN – Despite the cooler temperatures, mosquitoes are still active in Tennessee. The state veterinarian is confirming a case of mosquito-borne West Nile virus (WNV) in a horse in Robertson County.
Mosquitoes transmit WNV. Sick horses cannot directly infect humans or other horses.
Vector-borne diseases (such as the Zika virus, which can be spread by aedes aegypti mosquitoes) account for more than 17 percent of all infectious diseases, causing more than 700,000 deaths annually, according to the World Health Organization. (U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
Tennessee Department of Agriculture reports Equine Infectious Anemia detected in Tennessee
May 17, 2019
Nashville, TN – The Tennessee Department of Agriculture is advising horse owners of a case of equine infectious anemia (EIA) in West Tennessee.
A horse stabled at a farm in Shelby County recently tested positive for EIA.
Equine Influenza Detected in Tennessee Horses
Potomac Horse Fever Case Confirmed in Tennessee
June 23, 2018
Tennessee Department of Agriculture
Nashville, TN – The Tennessee State Veterinarian is advising all horse owners to be alert as Potomac horse fever has been confirmed in a horse in Davidson County, Tennessee.
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.
Potomac horse fever has been confirmed in a horse in Davidson County, Tennessee.
Fatal Horse Viruses Detected in West Tennessee
November 8, 2016
Nashville, TN – With unseasonably warm weather persisting well into the fall, mosquito-borne illnesses remain a serious health threat for horses in Tennessee.
A horse in Dyer County and a horse in Gibson County both recently tested positive for West Nile Virus (WNV).
A horse in Chester County has tested positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE).
Sick horses cannot directly infect people with WNV or EEE.
Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus Fatal to Horses and Humans Detected in Tennessee
August 5, 2016
Nashville, TN – A horse in West Tennessee has tested positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE), a virus that can be fatal for horses and humans. The Tennessee Departments of Agriculture and Health are advising citizens to take precautions to protect themselves and their livestock.
Mosquitoes transmit EEE. Humans cannot contract these viral infections directly from infected horses. However, mosquito-borne diseases do pose a public health risk.
Mosquitoes transmit the Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus.
