Texas cattle woes - Trich and Tick

[jamshundred]

For a long time you only herd of Missouri being a state with problems relating to Trichomoniasis but now Texas is requiring any bull that changes hands be tested.   Here is the info copied from the internet.

Trichomoniasis is a venereal disease of cattle that causes infertility and occasional abortions in cows and heifers. It is caused by Trichomonas fetus, a small motile protozoan found only in the reproductive tract of the bull and cow. Disease organisms transferred to the cow's vagina from the bull during breeding migrate up to the uterus and cause the infection. Recently infected cows develop a mild white sticky discharge from the vulva which can last for up to two months. Large number of cows, often over 90% of the herd, will be affected in herds that have not been previously infected. Repeat breeding or infertility of individual cows can last up to five months. The reason for repeat breeding appears to be death of the embryo, often within 10 days. Eventually cows begin to cycle again and can carry a fetus to term.



No vaccines are available for its prevention, but using artificial insemination and virgin bulls aid in control. Bulls are the main carriers of Trichomoniasis and, once infected, remain infected for life but show no signs of disease. Diagnosis of the disease can be confirmed microscopically.

Yesterday while on the highway listening to the radio I heard a discussion about the "Texas tick " and beef.   Apparently Texas has it's own special tick that when it gets on cattle and bites. .. the meat is infected and there are cases in New York City where people who ate this meat had severe allergic reactions.  ( I am sure it has taken quite a while to trace back to the source an outbreak of sickness half-way across the country from tick bites.   But. . . . I heard it!  The discussion actually stemmed from negativity towards animal rights and vegan groups who lobbed onto this information and were encouraging people to stop eating meat altogether!.     If, in fact, a tick bite to a cow contaminates the meat. . . . . . . . this IS interesting.

Judy

[wvdexters]

A family member mentioned the new "Texas Tick" to me earlier this afternoon. She'd heard part of a report about it too. Yes, very interesting.

[jamshundred]

If drought, TB, Trich and Tick were not enough. . . . not there is VS ! !    Vesicular Stomatitis.     I saw a livestock hauler discussing problems moving animals coming out of Texas.  Colorado seems to be a problem as well.   It is not only found in cattle but appears to be spreading through a number of counties in Texas in horses.  Swine have been diagnosed with VS, and it seems in some form that can be transmitted to humans.


The following is copied from the Drovers Cattle Network;

The summer’s outbreak of vesicular stomatitis (VS) continues, with several new cases in horses and cattle confirmed over the past week in Texas and Colorado. Since its last report on August 20, the USDA this week reports a total 38 new VSV-positive premises (New Jersey serotype) confirmed in the two states. In Colorado, officials report 35 new equine premises and one new premises with both bovine and equine affected. In Texas, Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) reports one new equine premises and one new bovine premises.

The Colorado Department of Agriculture also reported diagnoses of VS in two cattle earlier this month, and several states have modified their livestock import requirements to prevent spread of the disease.

So far this year, a total of 279 VS-positive premises have been identified, with 222 in Colorado and 57 in Texas. On May 28, the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) announced confirmation of the nation’s first case of VS this year in horses in Kinney County, Texas.

Vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) is classified as a rhabdovirus, and there are two serotypes of VSV – New Jersey and Indiana. Outbreaks this year have involved the New Jersey serotype. Infection with one serotype is not cross-protective for the second serotype. Clinical signs of VS, which can affect equines, cattle, bison, sheep, goats, pigs and camelids include vesicles, erosions, and sloughing of the skin on the muzzle, tongue, teats and above the hooves.

Insect vectors are the primary source of transmission of VS although mechanical transmission occurs in some species. Fly control is a key component in preventing spread of the virus.

Rarely, VS can affect humans, typically those who are in contact with infected animals. In humans the disease typically causes flu-like symptoms. Find more information about the disease on the University of Wisconsin’s Vetmed website.

Several states have modified their requirements for importing livestock in an effort to prevent the spread of VS. TAHC has compiled information states have provided on enhanced entry requirements they are imposing on Texas livestock (including cattle and horses) due to the recently announced VS cases. View the list of states and their requirements here.

Veterinarians and livestock owners who suspect an animal could have VS should contact state or federal animal health authorities. Livestock with clinical signs of VS typically will be quarantined until they clear the virus and present no further threat to transmit the disease.

USDA provides weekly situation reports, maps and other information on VS online.

I note that a number of states are not requiring imported cattle from Texas to be checked for this viral disease by veterinarians when health certificates are issued.

Texas Animal Health announcement:   tahc.texas.gov

Judy

[jamshundred]

And now..........Texas has the distinction of having the FIRST case of EBOLA diagnosed in the US. A visitor from Liberia visiting relatives is now ill and diagnosed in a Dallas hospital. Oh dear!

judy

[lonecowhand]

Oh Dear is right,Judy.

What happened to good old fashioned Quarantine? (you know, like NO DEPARTURES!) It's not by accident that the first 2 American Ebola Positive M.D.s were sent to different regions of the country to get jump-start training on Regional Control. CDC spin is that we shouldn't worry, they've got it under control. Hmmm.

Back to Topic, what does this new V.S.V. do to the health of Cattle?