Cattle Fever Tick a concern in Cameron County

By HEATHER CATHLEEN COX
Staff Writer
Reporter@sbnewspaper.com

The Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) have confirmed the presence of cattle fever ticks on Cameron County premises, located outside of the permanent quarantine zone.

Cattle fever ticks are the most dangerous cattle ectoparasites in the United States, and have reportedly been a threat to the cattle industry since the late 1800s.

Fever ticks, known scientifically as Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) annulatus and R. microplus, are capable of carrying microscopic parasites. Infected fever ticks reportedly inject the parasites into the bloodstream of their host. Once infected, the host’s red blood cells are attacked and destroyed, causing acute anemia, high fever, enlargement of the spleen and liver and eventually death for 90 percent of susceptible cattle.

The TAHC issued a statement in December stating, “In order to protect the land, premises and animals from exposure to cattle fever ticks, the TAHC created a temporary preventative quarantine area (TPQA) in Cameron County.” The TPQA is also commonly referred to as a blanket area.

All livestock (horses, donkeys, mule, ponies and cattle) located in the blanket area – indicated in the graphic on the right – must be inspected and treated prior to movement, even if the livestock are being moved elsewhere within the quarantine.

According to the TAHC, “A permanent cattle fever tick quarantine zone (PQZ) … along the Rio Grande River was established in 1942. The PQZ extends 500 miles, through eight South Texas counties ranging from Devils River to the Gulf of Mexico. It was created as a buffer zone to Mexico, where fever ticks are common.”

The USDA has issued a statement proclaiming that the TPQA consists of “approximately 223,000 acres … and will remain in effect until all premises within the area are … determined to no longer be at risk of infestation.”

In an effort to facilitate the Cameron County Fever Tick response operations, an office was established in Los Fresnos at 105 West Ocean Boulevard. Treating horses or cattle is free of charge, and according to USDA Mounted Patrol Inspector Abel Perez, treatments are available every other week on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Saturdays or by appointment.

For information on treating, dipping or spraying livestock, call: (512) 800-2521 or (512) 937-8843. To view the full schedule, visit: tahc.texas.gov/animal_health/fevertick/fevertick.html

The TAHC has further mandated that “hunters that harvest wildlife such as white-tailed deer, nilgai and other free-ranging wildlife and exotic hoofstock in the TPQA must call (956) 254-3507 to have their animal inspected and treated for cattle fever ticks.”

After the second week of February, horse spraying will continue at the Los Fresnos Rodeo Arena. An additional dipping vat is located on 31507 FM 1561 in Lozano, Texas.

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