NEWS RELEASE 

TAHCSeal-105.gif
Texas Animal Health Commission 

“Serving Texas Animal Agriculture Since 1893” 

Dee Ellis, DVM, MPA . Executive Director 

P.O. Box l2966 . Austin, Texas 78711 . (800) 550-8242 http://www.tahc.state.tx.us 

For more information contact the Public Information office at 1-800-550-8242, ext. 710 or at bonnie.ramirez@tahc.state.tx.us 

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

August 13, 2010 

Anthrax is Here --- Vaccinate Livestock Now 

AUSTIN - Late summertime in certain parts of Texas means livestock producers should be on 
the lookout for the resurfacing of anthrax in their animals. Among the anthrax cases confirmed 
this summer are one bovine in Crockett County, one whitetail deer in Kinney County and one 
whitetail deer in Uvalde County. Anthrax which is caused by Bacillus anthracis is a naturally 
occurring disease with worldwide distribution, including Texas. 

“Anthrax cases are not unusual; especially at this time of year. This is peak season for anthrax to 
resurface and affect livestock and deer,” Dr. Dee Ellis, Texas Animal Health Commission 
(TAHC) Executive Director and State Veterinarian, said. “Ranchers and livestock owners should 
be aware of recent anthrax confirmations in their area and consider vaccinating their livestock to 
protect against the disease.” 

Anthrax can occur anywhere, but in Texas, cases most often are confined to a triangular 

area bounded by the towns of Uvalde, Ozona and Eagle Pass. This area includes portions of 
Crockett, Val Verde, Sutton, Edwards, Kinney and Maverick counties. 

If an animal dies from the disease and isn’t properly disposed of by burning, the bacteria can 
spill out into the soil and remain dormant for long periods of time. The anthrax bacteria 
resurfaces on grass or forage under ideal weather and soil conditions during spring and summer 
months. By the time an animal shows signs of staggering, trembling or convulsions after 
ingesting the anthrax bacteria, death is expected. TAHC regulations require that the animal 
carcasses, manure and bedding be incinerated until thoroughly consumed. This practice will keep 
wild animals from being exposed to the disease and it will also kill the bacteria, preventing 
another site from being contaminated with anthrax. 

Anthrax is a reportable disease in Texas. While laboratory tests, conducted by the Texas 
Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) in College Station, are needed to confirm 
infection, suspected cases also are to be reported to the TAHC. 

“Outbreaks usually end when cool weather arrives and the bacteria becomes dormant. In the 
meantime, producers in or near historically affected areas should consult with their veterinary 
practitioner about the disease in general, and especially the need to vaccinate. TAHC 
veterinarians are also available to answer any questions.” Dr. Ellis said. 


The following are general biosecurity tips that can be helpful to livestock producers who suspect 
they have an anthrax affected animal or carcass: 

• Wear long sleeves and gloves when handling carcasses or when working with or 
vaccinating livestock to avoid contaminating any sores or scratches on arms or hands. 
See your doctor if you develop an unusual-looking sore on your hands, arms or other 
exposed skin. Although it is very rare to contract skin anthrax, this infection requires 
treatment with antibiotics prescribed by a physician. 

• Practice good sanitation. Wash your hands after handling livestock (even if you wear 
gloves.) Disinfect equipment used on the animals or carcasses. Keep pets and children 
away from carcasses or bones of dead animals. Move healthy animals away from a 
pasture where animals have died from the disease. 

• Properly dispose of animal carcasses by burning to prevent exposure to other animals, 
such as predators or dogs. 

• Vaccinate livestock if cases occur in the surrounding areas. Anthrax vaccine is a “live” 
vaccine, so it must not be administered with antibiotics. Vaccinated animals must be 
withheld from slaughter for two months. 

• Restrict the movement of livestock onto or from an affected premise until animals can 
develop immunity through vaccination (about 10 days). 

For more information regarding anthrax, visit http://www.tahc.state.tx.us or call 1-800-550-8242. 

The Texas Animal Health Commission works to protect the health of all Texas livestock, 
including: cattle, swine, poultry, sheep, goats, equine animals, and exotic livestock. 

TAHCSeal-105.gif
NEWS RELEASE 

Texas Animal Health Commission 

“Serving Texas Animal Agriculture Since 1893” 

Dee Ellis, DVM, MPA . Executive Director 

P.O. Box l2966 . Austin, Texas 78711 . (800) 550-8242 http://www.tahc.state.tx.us 

For more information contact the Public Information office at 1-800-550-8242, ext. 710 or at bonnie.ramirez@tahc.state.tx.us 

_____________________________________________________________________________________________ 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

July 30, 2010 

TAHC and USDA Rounding Up Stray Livestock Due to 
Rio Grande River Flooding 

AUSTIN - The Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) has been working jointly with the 
United States Department of Agriculture-Veterinary Services (USDA-VS) to recover stray 
livestock that have come across the Rio Grande River due to recent rainfall that has flooded 
several South Texas counties. 

USDA-VS personnel in the Laredo and Eagle Pass areas responded to stray livestock issues as a 
result of the Rio Grande River flooding. To date, two Mexico horses were washed across the Rio 
Grande River during the flooding above Laredo into two different premises. They were located 
by helicopter and apprehended on horseback. 
Twenty three Mexican cattle were washed across the river below Eagle Pass, potentially 
exposing several premises to ticks. They were returned to the Mexican owner. 
Del Rio inspectors have apprehended three head of cattle and one horse, but continue to search 
areas that have so far not been accessible. There are many more animals reported missing in 
Mexico. 

“The skills that the tick riders use in their daily work in handling and rounding up livestock have 
proven to be an invaluable asset in response to disasters such as this, the flooding of the Rio 
Grande River,” said Dr. Matt Cochran, TAHC Assistant Executive Director. 

On Thursday, July 22, a USDA-VS veterinarian assessed the status of the cattle stranded in Starr 
County. Based on his assessment, TAHC, Texas AgriLife Extension (ALEXT), and Texas and 
Southwestern Cattle Raisers (TSCRA) personnel were able to “swim” two head of cattle and one 
horse to dry land that day. Currently, through the efforts in protecting these livestock in Starr 
County, there were 9 head of cattle and one horse rescued, as well. TAHC was assisted by Texas 
Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) wardens who supplied a boat to get to the location 
where the livestock were stranded. 

The Texas Animal Health Commission works to protect the health of all Texas livestock, 
including: cattle, swine, poultry, sheep, goats, equine animals, and exotic livestock.