Department of Agriculture
Julius Johnson, Commissioner

The Tennessee Department of Agriculture works to ensure a healthy, growing animal industry. TDA partners with state and federal regulators, private veterinarians and livestock industries with programs aimed at preventing, controlling and eradicating certain infectious or communicable diseases of livestock and other domestic animals. Activities include administering eradication programs for brucellosis, tuberculosis, scrapie and pseudorabies, along with the control program for equine infectious anemia. TDA also enforces the laws and rules regulating interstate and intrastate movement of animals.

NEW FEATURE: TENNESSEE IMPORT REQUIREMENTS ARE ONLINE HERE.

Single EHV1 Case Reported in Tennessee - 3/6/2013 - The State Veterinarian for Tennessee has reported a single case of the neurological form of Equine Herpes Virus Type 1 (EHV1) in Shelby County, Tennessee. The case involves one premises which has been quarantined. The affected horse has been isolated and is under the care and observation of a veterinarian. Strict bio-security measures have been implemented to prevent any further exposure. An investigation into possible sources of the disease is ongoing. However, there appears to be no known connection to the current EHV1 outbreak in Florida, and state animal health officials have no reason to believe that other horses have been exposed at this time.

Equine Herpes Virus (EHV) Outbreak in Florida - Florida is the latest state to experience an outbreak of Equine Herpes virus (EHV). EHV are viruses that are found in most horses all over the world. Almost all horses have been infected with the virus and will show no serious side effects. Some horses can develop the serious neurological forms that may be fatal.

EHV-1 can cause four manifestations of disease in horses, including the neurological form, respiratory disease, abortion, and neonatal death. EHV-1 is contagious and spread by direct horse-to-horse contact through nasal secretions and contaminated physical objects such as human hands, clothing, equipment, tack, feed and water buckets, grooming equipment, and horse trailers. It is not transmittable to humans.

After infection, the incubation period is usually 4-6 days. EHV-1 usually causes a two phase fever peaking on day 1 or 2 and again on day 6 or 7. Clinical signs of the neurologic disease may include nasal discharge, in-coordination, hind limb weakness, loss of tail tone, inability to rise, and urine dribbling.

Biosecurity is the most important way to protect horses from EHV-1.

For daily updates of the Florida outbreak, click here.

Trichomoniasis Alert - The State Veterinarian has issued requirements effective immediately for transportation of bulls into Tennessee to prevent the spread of Trichomoniasis. List of Approved Trichomoniasis Veterinarians

Coggins Test Now Valid for Twelve Months - The Tennessee Department of Agriculture recently established rules allowing Coggins test results to remain valid for 12 months. The Coggins test checks horses for Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA). Requirements for Change of Ownership.

The Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program (VMLRP) - The VMLRP will pay up to $25,000 each year towards qualified educational loans of eligible veterinarians who agree to serve in a NIFA designated veterinarian shortage situation for a period of three years. For further information, visit http://www.nifa.usda.gov/nea/animals/in_focus/an_health_if_vmlrp.html or contact Dr. Sara Clariday at the State Veterinarian's Office at Sara.Clariday@tn.gov or (615) 837-5120.

Companion Animal Parasite Council - The mission of CAPC is to foster animal and human health, while preserving the human-animal bond, through recommendations for the diagnosis, treatment, prevention and control of parasitic infections. http://www.capcvet.org.

NOTE: The Dog and Cat Dealer Licensing Program and Animal Friendly Tag Grant Program have been transferred to the Tennessee Department of Health. To inquire, call toll free 1-877-403-7350 or local to Nashville at 615-532-7350.

Order for Cervidae: "Tennessee Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Herd Certification Program (HCP)"

Order for Bulls: "Trichomoniasis Requirements"

Order for Wild-Appearing Swine: "Transportation of Wild-Appearing Swine Within Tennessee"

Identification: "Approved Forms of Identification"