Oklahoma livestock producers are being urged to exercise caution and vigilance as new and re-emerging disease threats pose risks to animal and human health. In a recent discussion with Farm Director KC Sheperd, Dr. Rosslyn Biggs, Oklahoma State University (OSU) Beef Cattle Specialist, highlighted several key concerns, from a dangerous invasive fly to a parasitic tick and a rising number of rabies cases.
New World Screwworm: A Threat to Live Tissue
While there have been no confirmed reports of New World screwworm in the United States, Dr. Biggs noted that a recent detection in Veracruz, Mexico, has raised serious concerns. The location is approximately 370 miles from the Texas border, which she described as “a trailer ride away.” Unlike common flies that feed on dead tissue, screwworms lay eggs that turn into maggots that consume live flesh. This is a threat to all species, including livestock, wildlife, and humans. An infestation left untreated can be fatal to an animal within about two weeks. Dr. Biggs recommends that producers with any concerns about maggots burrowing into an animal’s open wounds immediately contact their veterinarian, as this is a reportable disease.
Asian Longhorned Tick and Other Threats
Another growing threat is the Asian longhorned tick, which was first detected in Oklahoma last summer. What makes this tick particularly concerning is its ability to reproduce asexually, meaning a single female can establish a new population. The tick can carry an agent called Theileria orientalis, specifically the Ikeda genotype. This disease presents symptoms similar to anaplasmosis but is unique in that it affects all ages of cattle and does not respond to current anaplasmosis treatments. OSU is currently running a surveillance project to help producers identify and test ticks on their animals.
Dr. Biggs also addressed the increasing number of rabies cases in Oklahoma, with four cases each in bovine and canine species this calendar year, along with several cases in equine and goats.
She emphasized the importance of vaccinating valuable animals, both those with high economic value, such as a prized bull, and those with sentimental value, such as show animals. “A relatively nominal cost to get those vaccinated,” she stated, noting that vaccination is a critical step in protecting not only animal health but human health as well.
