What Is the Treatment & Control for Cattle With Tick Fever?

Cattle tick fever, a deadly disease transmitted by the bite of an infected tick, caused livestock losses in the millions of dollars before the mid-1900s. Through vigilant treatment and control, this disease has been largely eradicated in the United States.

  1. Origin

    • The causes or Texas fever, the cattle fever and southern tick, were brought to North America on infested livestock from Spain and quickly spread to Texas, California, and Florida. These ticks are found today on most cattle in Mexico.

    Tick Eradication

    • The Cattle Fever Tick Eradication Program began in 1906. An army of ̶0;Tick Riders̶1; inspected and quarantined livestock suspected of carrying cattle fever and southern ticks. By treating infested animals, these ticks were virtually stamped out in the U.S. by 1961.

    Buffer Zone

    • A 900-mile long buffer zone has been set up between Texas and Mexico to keep the ticks that cause cattle fever from entering the U.S.

    Chemical Dip

    • Cattle fever ticks are rarely seen outside the buffer zone. Livestock presumed to have had contact with ticks are treated with chemical dips several times over the course of a year to prevent infestation.

    Caution

    • Unidentified ticks on cattle should be reported to your veterinarian or the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.