Longhorn Network: Tuberculosis Information

Tuberculosis Information

NEWS RELEASE
Texas Animal Health Commission
Box l2966 *Austin, Texas 78711 *(800) 550-8242* FAX (512) 719-0719
Linda Logan, DVM, PhD* Executive Director
Contact: Carla Everett, info officer, 1-800-550-8242, ext. 710, or
ceverett@tahc.state.tx.us

For Immediate Release--May 10, 2002
Texas' Downgrade for Cattle TB Status
Due Around June 1

Texas livestock health officials are alerting cattle producers, veterinarians and livestock markets that the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) will strip Texas of its "Free" status for cattle tuberculosis (TB) eradication on or around June 1. The TB status downgrade will mean that the 150,000 or more breeding cattle hauled out of Texas each year must have a negative tuberculosis skin test prior to being moved. The USDA has placed a moratorium on additional restrictions until at least January 2003, when the state's feeder cattle must be identified with official ear tags before being transported out of state.

"Since late February, we have worked with the USDA and cattle industry groups to prepare for the loss of Texas' TB-free status, which we initially thought would occur as early as April," explained Dr. Linda Logan, Texas' state veterinarian and executive director of the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC), the state's livestock health regulatory agency. "This loss of status will have a great impact on the Texas livestock industry and, until producers are familiar with the process, it could slow the movement of breeding cattle out of the state."

"The downgrade in TB status comes as a result of the diagnosis and subsequent depopulation of two TB-infected cattle herds during 2001," she said. "Both infected herds were detected by slaughter plant inspectors, who found carcasses with internal lesions indicative of TB. Lesion samples were submitted to the National Veterinary Services Laboratory (NVSL) for examination, and we began skin-testing the herds where the animals originated. We closely examined the carcasses of test-positive animals from the herds and submitted lesions to the NVSL for examination and confirmation of TB."

Dr. Logan said the two infected herds, found in South Central Texas in summer 2001, and in Southwest Texas in fall 2001, have been depopulated. More than 130 other herds have been tested, as TAHC and USDA officials search for the origin of the disease outbreak, and where it may have spread. No other infected herds have been detected, and veterinary epidemiologists have been unable to pinpoint the source of infection.

"Federal regulations mandate a loss of TB-free status when a state has two or more infected herds disclosed within a 48-month period. Texas will move from the TB-free status it has held since November 2000, to modified accredited advanced status, the second highest rung in an international five-tier ranking system for cattle TB eradication," said Dr. Logan. She said it will take at least two years without an infected herd for Texas to regain its coveted TB-free status enjoyed by all other states except Michigan.

The loss of status will immediately impact producers who move or sell breeding cattle out of state, explained Dr. Logan. Breeding animals are bred heifers, bulls and cows. Since many cattle sold at livestock markets are hauled out of state, producer groups have struggled with logistical problems sure to be encountered when untested animals are presented at livestock markets. She said breeding cattle are exempted from the interstate testing requirement only if they are from a TB accredited-free herd (a herd that is tested for TB yearly and is enrolled in the TAHC's accreditation program), are moving to an approved feedyard, or are consigned directly to slaughter.

"If sellers arrive at the livestock market with untested breeding cattle, the market management will need to designate the untested animals as 'Texas-only' cattle, restrict the cattle to slaughter only, or they will have to make arrangements for having the animals tested so they can move interstate," explained Dr. Logan. "Producers can avoid delays in moving their cattle, if they'll have their accredited veterinarian test animals prior to sale."

A TB skin test takes 72 hours to complete and must be conducted by an accredited veterinarian, who injects tuberculin into the skin near the animal's tail, in a site called the 'caudal fold,' After a 72-hour waiting period, the veterinarian examines the injection site for a response, such as redness or swelling. Animals without a response can move. If a response is detected, Dr. Logan said a second test must be applied on the animal's neck by a state or federal regulatory veterinarian. This comparative cervical test also requires a waiting period of 72 hours after injection before it can be read, she said. Animals with negative results on the comparative cervical test also are free to move.

"One or two percent of animals will test positive on the caudal fold test but then are cleared for movement with a negative comparative cervical test," said Dr. Logan. "If the animals have skin reactions on both tests, however, they need to be slaughtered and closely examined, as there is strong evidence that the animal has been infected with TB."

"Veterinarians from the TAHC and the USDA in Texas will work with private veterinary practitioners and producers to conduct all needed comparative cervical tests as quickly as possible," said Dr. Logan. "Preventing bottlenecks and keeping Texas livestock moving will be a key goal for our staff."

Dr. Logan said that cattle industry groups continue to develop plans to address federal TB requirements that will apply to Texas feeder cattle as of January 2003. "More than 1.5 million feeder cattle leave Texas each year, and each of these animals will have to wear an official identification ear tag," said Dr. Logan. "Currently, official tags are used to identify animals tested for brucellosis, and these must be applied by private veterinary practitioners, or state or federal staff. We are working with industry and the USDA to develop an acceptable ear tag that can be provided and applied by the cattle owner. The identification tags improve the ability to trace animals back to their herd of origin."

"Additionally, it is anticipated that feeder heifers and most bull calves in interstate movement will also have to be TB tested, unless they go to an approved feedlot or directly to slaughter. This is to prevent untested heifers or bulls from being moved from the feedyard back to the ranch. In order to regain our state's TB-free status, we must conduct stepped-up surveillance to ensure that we do not have additional undetected TB infection," declared Dr. Logan.

"We are trying to find an acceptable alternative to testing the 750,000 feeder heifers that move, as this would be require a greater number of veterinarians than are currently available to conduct the testing," said Dr. Logan. "We hope to strike an agreement with the USDA to allow approved pastures or feedlots in other states that would accept untested heifers. Heifers selected for breeding could be moved from these sites to a ranch after they've had a negative TB test."

"We will continue to work with the USDA and the cattle industry associations to find a workable solution to our changing TB status," said Dr. Logan. "It is of upmost importance that we maintain the ability of Texas cattle to move across state lines without undue hardship while we work to regain our TB-free status."

Below is the text from a new cattle tuberculosis brochure to assist with answering questions about Texas' downgrade in cattle TB status. Supplies of the printed version are available at no charge from the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) by calling 1-800-550-8242, ext 710 to place your order. Carla

Texas Loses Accredited-Free Status for Cattle Tuberculosis (TB)

In June 2002, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) cancelled Texas' "Accredited-Free" status for cattle tuberculosis (TB) eradication program because two of the state's estimated 153,000 cattle herds have been diagnosed with the disease since summer 2001. An infected beef cattle herd was found in south central Texas in summer 2001, and a combination beef and dairy operation in west Texas was detected in fall 2001. The infected herds have been depopulated.

Texas initially earned TB-free status in November 2000, with the exception of portions of El Paso and Hudspeth Counties, which had been "zoned out," due to recurring cases of the bacterial infection that can cause cattle to develop internal lesions. (Producers in El Paso and Hudspeth Counties move livestock under similar regulations. This zone will remain separate from the rest of Texas for cattle TB eradication and animal movement.)

The requirements discussed in this brochure apply to all other Texas counties and will be in force until Texas can regain Accredited-Free status, after two consecutive years without infection and an official USDA TB review.

The downgrade to Modified Accredited Advanced is effective immediately and requires additional surveillance on Texas cattle moved across state lines.

Q. What species of animals are affected by the change in cattle TB status?
A. Only cattle and bison moving interstate will be affected. Other species of animals, such as deer and elk, have their own requirements.

Q. What's different for moving cattle?
A. Texas cattle can move freely within the state (intrastate) with no restrictions.
However, cattle intended for breeding purposes must have a negative TB test within 60 days OR originate from a TB accredited-free herd before being transported out of the state (interstate). These include weaned heifers intended for use as breeding stock, bred heifers, cows and bulls. USDA accredited, private veterinary practitioners can conduct the TB test and apply an official ear tag that identifies the animal as being tested.

Brucellosis ear tags can be used as official identification. Purebred cattle may be identified with a firebrand or tattoo as long as this permanent identification is recorded in the breed registry.

Q. Are there any exceptions to testing breeding cattle?
A. Yes. Exceptions are:

Nursing calves that are moving with a TB test-negative dam don't need a test. If the pair is split, however, the calf must be tested and officially identified.
Cattle of any age or sex that are moving directly to slaughter do not need a test and may move on a waybill either from a farm of origin or from a livestock market.
Cattle originating from a TB accredited-free herd. (To obtain information about this annual testing program, call the TAHC at 1-800-550-8242 and ask for Program Records.)

Q. What's involved, and how long does it take to get the cattle TB tested?
A. To conduct a TB skin test on cattle, an accredited veterinarian injects a tiny amount of tuberculin into the animal's skin near its tail, in an area called the "caudal fold." The veterinarian must examine the injection site 72 hours later for a reaction, such as swelling, that might indicate the animal has been exposed to cattle TB. If the animals in the consignment test negative for TB, the veterinarian will issue a document, on which will be recorded the test results and each animal's official eartag or registration marking.

The private practitioners obtain their tuberculin from the State-Federal Laboratory in Austin, and the paperwork and ear tags from the USDA, also in Austin. Producers are responsible for paying the private practitioner to conduct the test.

Q.What if the caudal fold test is positive?
A. About 1 percent of the "caudal fold" tests will be positive and is to be expected, as there can be "false-positives."

If swelling, thickening or a lump is seen at the site of the "caudal fold" test, a second skin test must be run on the animal's neck by a state or federal veterinarian. This test must be run within 10 days of the caudal fold test, so regulatory veterinarians should be notified as quickly as possible. This test also requires a 72-hour waiting period from injection to examination.

If the animal tests negative on the second skin test, called a "comparative cervical test," the animal is free to move.

A response on the "comparative cervical" test, however, is a strong indication the animal may have cattle TB. The animal must be slaughtered and its carcass carefully examined for internal TB lesions. Tissue samples are collected and forwarded to the National Veterinary Services Laboratory (NVSL) in Ames, Iowa, for laboratory confirmation.

There's no charge for the "comparative cervical test" by a regulatory veterinarian, or for lab tests. Indemnity currently is available for animals that must be slaughtered for examination.

Q. What about taking my cattle to the livestock market?
A. Your breeding cattle are free to move anywhere in Texas without restriction, but they could be worth more and could move across state lines freely, if you have them TB tested PRIOR to hauling them to the livestock market, or if you maintain a TB accredited-free herd. Don't forget to carry the test charts or TB accredited-free documentation to the auction barn, as the buyers will need proof of testing to move Texas breeding animals across state lines without restriction!

(Texas is not yet cattle brucellosis-free, so breeding cattle must be tested for "Bangs" prior to sale, if they're not from a certified-free herd. Testing is provided at the livestock market, or producers are to bring test documents, if the cattle were tested before being hauled to market.)

If they're not tested for TB or do not originate from a TB accredited-free herd, movement of Texas breeding cattle will be restricted to:

in-state movement,
transport directly to slaughter in another state,
the market or another holding site in Texas until they are tested for movement out of state.

Q. What will happen at the auction?
A. Livestock market operators, particularly those on the state lines, will probably choose to separate breeding cattle into two categories at the auction:

Cattle from a TB-free state, Texas cattle that have tested negative for TB, or are from a TB accredited-free herd can move freely. (Only Texas and Michigan are not TB Accredited-Free.)
Untested Texas breeding cattle.

Buyers who ship out of state can buy anything as long as their cattle are consigned directly to slaughter. Buyers who don't ship out of Texas won't be affected by Texas' cattle TB status.

Q. What about cattle being moved across Texas that need a rest stop?
A. Cattle shipped through Texas may be off-loaded for a rest stop. If these animals are not commingled with untested Texas cattle, they won't be restricted.

Q. Are there additional TB restrictions for Texas breeding cattle?
A. States that receive Texas cattle may choose to place additional restrictions or testing requirements on Texas cattle. As of June 6, 2002, there were no additional state-imposed restrictions.

Q. What about feeders--steers, cutter bulls, feeder heifers or spayed heifers?
A. After January 1, 2003, USDA (federal) regulations for feeder cattle will become effective. (The rules for feeder cattle were delayed, to give Texas time to prepare.) Some states, however, may not honor this delay. Check with the state of destination prior to moving feeder animals!

After January 1, 2003

Feeder steers and spayed heifers moving out of Texas must be officially identified and can move to an approved feedlot.

Federal regulations also require that sexually intact feeder heifers being moved interstate for grazing be officially identified and must have a negative TB test within 60 days prior to movement. Feeder heifers moved to an approved feedlot are exempt from testing requirements. More detailed information about the 2003 requirements for feeder cattle will be forthcoming.

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