If you haven’t heard, the dreaded cattle fever tick, carrier of a blood disease that once nearly wiped out the entire U.S. cattle herd, is approaching Central Texas. The once eradicated pest is no longer under control in Texas and this should be on the forefront of livestock producers in our area.
On November 30, 2016 a bull was found on a farm in Live Oak County, Texas about 110 miles north of the Mexico border, where Texas Animal Health Inspectors thought to have had a permanent quarantine zone along the border. As of January 22, 2017 the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) had reported 315 head of cattle infested, with 2,137 head treated; 2 infested equine with 151 head treated and 69 head of wildlife treated. With approximately 61,212 acres are under quarantine
Current counties with exposed, adjacent or check premises quarantines include: Bastrop, Bee, Caldwell, Calhoun, Cameron, Colorado, Denton, Dewitt, Dimmit, Falls, Fayette, Frio, Goliad, Gonzales, Hidalgo, Jim Wells, Karnes, Kendall, Kinney, Kleberg, Live Oak, Maverick, McMullen, Milam, Mills, Parker, Runnels, Starr, Uvalde, Val Verde, Webb, Wharton, Willacy and Zapata.
So how can you try to prevent this cattle fever tick from being introduced onto your property? First be aware that unlike the name implies the potential hosts include, but are not limited to: cattle, horses, sheep, goats, white-tailed deer and exotic hoof stock such as nilgai antelope and red deer. When you purchase new animals do not immediately commingle them with your current animals until you are certain they are free of disease and pests. Early reporting of unusual or suspicious pest infestations prevents fever ticks from establishing a large population on your property.
However, if you do see ticks on your animals that you think could be fever ticks you should contact your private veterinarian, the Texas Animal Health Commissions’ regional office, or USDA personnel to have the animal inspected. If you happen to get a confirmation of cattle fever ticks on your property a TAHC representative will create a plan to most effectively and efficiently rid your property of fever ticks. Your property and neighbors’ properties will go through a set of quarantines – infected premises, adjacent premises, exposed premises, and/or check premises.
For more information or reference for this article please visit the websites of the Texas Animal Health Commissions, USDA-APHIS and Texas AgriLife Extension Service.
