News Release
Texas Animal Health Commission
Box l2966 * Austin, Texas 78711 * (800) 550-8242 * FAX (512) 719-0719
Bob Hillman, DVM * Executive Director
For info, contact Carla Everett, information officer, at 1-800-550-8242, ext. 710, or [email protected]
For immediate release---
Ranchers Rejoice! Texas is Cattle Tuberculosis-Free!
Texas ranchers achieved a four-year-old objective Tuesday, October 3, when the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced in the Federal Register that the state has regained cattle tuberculosis-free (TB) status. This valuable status was lost in 2002 after two TB infected cattle herds were detected in Texas. Since September 2003, more than 335,000 cows in Texas' 818 dairies, and nearly 129,000 beef cattle in 2,014 of the state's seed stock or purebred herds have been tested for cattle TB, in a bid to ensure that all TB infection had been detected and eliminated, and that effective disease surveillance has been implemented.
"For cattle owners involved in regional and statewide stock shows and fairs, the benefit of TB-free status is immediate," explained Dr. Bob Hillman, Texas' state veterinarian. "Achieving free status enables Texas-origin cattle to be transported to events in the state without a TB test. Always check with show or fair officials, however, as they may establish more stringent requirements."
USDA regulations also allow the 150,000 or so breeding and dairy cattle moved from Texas to other states each year to be shipped without a TB test. Dr. Hillman, who heads the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC), the state's livestock and regulatory health agency, cautioned ranchers and accredited veterinary practitioners to check with states of destination prior to shipping cattle, as it will take time for animal health officials to update regulations recognizing Texas' TB-free status. Also, because states are at liberty to impose rules beyond USDA standards, he said some states will keep TB testing requirements "on the books." Cattle moved interstate from TB-free states for feeding purposes have not been required to have a TB test.
"We have reason to celebrate TB-free status, but we always must remain on guard against the re-introduction of TB infection into our state's 14 million cattle. We know this ranking is fragile, having initially attained TB-free status in 2000, only to lose it in 2002, after two infected herds were detected. Two more infected herds were detected in 2003. These infected herds were depopulated," said Dr. Hillman. He elaborated that TB-free status in 2000 extended to all of Texas, except the El Paso Milk Shed, where low levels of infection persisted or reoccurred for years, despite repeated quarantines, testing and removal of infected cows. The affected herds were depopulated with indemnity funds provided by USDA, and agreements specified that dairies could not be re-established in the El Paso Milk Shed. Thus, TB-free status now applies to the entire state.
Cattle TB is caused by the bacterium Mycobacterim bovis, while human TB is attributed to M. tuberculosis. TB-infected cattle can develop tubercles, or encapsulated lesions in the lungs, lymph nodes, or in other internal organs. Most often, cattle TB infection is first detected at slaughter plants, where inspectors examine carcasses for tubercles, which they collect and submit for laboratory confirmation. While awaiting lab results, the carcasses are held, or allowed to be used only in cooked products. Cooking meat, or pasteurizing milk (also a heat treatment process) kills TB bacteria.
"The effort to regain TB-free status has been a true partnership of ranchers, private veterinary practitioners, and state and federal animal health personnel," said Hillman. "Everyone who has played a role deserves hearty congratulations for their diligence to ensure that Texas is again free of this dangerous disease that has been a concern to the livestock industry for nearly a century."
Texas Animal Health Commission
Box l2966 * Austin, Texas 78711 * (800) 550-8242 * FAX (512) 719-0719
Bob Hillman, DVM * Executive Director
For info, contact Carla Everett, information officer, at 1-800-550-8242, ext. 710, or [email protected]
For immediate release---
Ranchers Rejoice! Texas is Cattle Tuberculosis-Free!
Texas ranchers achieved a four-year-old objective Tuesday, October 3, when the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced in the Federal Register that the state has regained cattle tuberculosis-free (TB) status. This valuable status was lost in 2002 after two TB infected cattle herds were detected in Texas. Since September 2003, more than 335,000 cows in Texas' 818 dairies, and nearly 129,000 beef cattle in 2,014 of the state's seed stock or purebred herds have been tested for cattle TB, in a bid to ensure that all TB infection had been detected and eliminated, and that effective disease surveillance has been implemented.
"For cattle owners involved in regional and statewide stock shows and fairs, the benefit of TB-free status is immediate," explained Dr. Bob Hillman, Texas' state veterinarian. "Achieving free status enables Texas-origin cattle to be transported to events in the state without a TB test. Always check with show or fair officials, however, as they may establish more stringent requirements."
USDA regulations also allow the 150,000 or so breeding and dairy cattle moved from Texas to other states each year to be shipped without a TB test. Dr. Hillman, who heads the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC), the state's livestock and regulatory health agency, cautioned ranchers and accredited veterinary practitioners to check with states of destination prior to shipping cattle, as it will take time for animal health officials to update regulations recognizing Texas' TB-free status. Also, because states are at liberty to impose rules beyond USDA standards, he said some states will keep TB testing requirements "on the books." Cattle moved interstate from TB-free states for feeding purposes have not been required to have a TB test.
"We have reason to celebrate TB-free status, but we always must remain on guard against the re-introduction of TB infection into our state's 14 million cattle. We know this ranking is fragile, having initially attained TB-free status in 2000, only to lose it in 2002, after two infected herds were detected. Two more infected herds were detected in 2003. These infected herds were depopulated," said Dr. Hillman. He elaborated that TB-free status in 2000 extended to all of Texas, except the El Paso Milk Shed, where low levels of infection persisted or reoccurred for years, despite repeated quarantines, testing and removal of infected cows. The affected herds were depopulated with indemnity funds provided by USDA, and agreements specified that dairies could not be re-established in the El Paso Milk Shed. Thus, TB-free status now applies to the entire state.
Cattle TB is caused by the bacterium Mycobacterim bovis, while human TB is attributed to M. tuberculosis. TB-infected cattle can develop tubercles, or encapsulated lesions in the lungs, lymph nodes, or in other internal organs. Most often, cattle TB infection is first detected at slaughter plants, where inspectors examine carcasses for tubercles, which they collect and submit for laboratory confirmation. While awaiting lab results, the carcasses are held, or allowed to be used only in cooked products. Cooking meat, or pasteurizing milk (also a heat treatment process) kills TB bacteria.
"The effort to regain TB-free status has been a true partnership of ranchers, private veterinary practitioners, and state and federal animal health personnel," said Hillman. "Everyone who has played a role deserves hearty congratulations for their diligence to ensure that Texas is again free of this dangerous disease that has been a concern to the livestock industry for nearly a century."
