Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) confirmed fever ticks on new premises within the established Live Oak County Control Purpose Quarantine Area (CPQA) on March 16. With the new premises, there are now nine infested premises in the CPQA.
As part of routine surveillance conducted in the CPQA, cattle on the new infested premises were undergoing a second TAHC inspection when the fever ticks were discovered. The initial inspection of the premises in December did not show a fever tick infestation.
“Finding a new infestation now is concerning but not surprising,” said Dr. Andy Schwartz, TAHC executive director. “We anticipated and planned for this, and continue heightened surveillance as fever ticks move from winter dormancy to spring hatch, with favorable climatic conditions for the fever ticks.”
Premises located within the CPQA are subject to movement restrictions, systematic inspections and potential treatment in accordance with the regulations in Title 4, Texas Administrative Code, Chapter 41 Fever Ticks.
TAHC continues to conduct epidemiological investigations related to the detection of fever ticks in the area, as well as ticks that may have been moved on cattle, horses and exotic hoofstock shipped from infested premises. As part of this investigation, TAHC will notify affected farmers and ranchers and inspect their livestock to ensure these exposed herds are fever tick free.
If you see ticks on your animal(s) that you believe could be fever ticks, contact your private veterinary practitioner, TAHC region office or USDA personnel to have the animal(s) inspected.
For the latest information regarding Live Oak County and fever tick infestations in Texas, visit http://www.tahc.texas.gov.
To learn more about fever ticks and quarantines, visit http://www.tahc.texas.gov/news/brochures/TAHCBrochure_FeverTickFAQ.pdf.