At this time, there is no scientific evidence that COVID-19 is
transmitted by mosquitoes and ticks, explained Texas A&M AgriLife experts.
“Ticks, like mosquitoes, are blood-feeding external parasites,”
said Pete Teel, Ph.D., Texas A&M University interim head for the Department of Entomology in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.
“The viruses they are known to transmit to humans must survive and grow, or
replicate, inside the tick as well as survive through tick developmental
stages.”
Mosquitoes, ticks and other blood-feeding arthropods are vectors of other viruses and pathogens.
“People still need to exercise caution and good judgment in avoiding
bites,” said Zach Adelman, professor in the Department of Entomology.
“But there is no evidence that a coronavirus can survive being digested
by a mosquito, let alone transmitted to another person.”
As a result of social distancing, people are also spending more
time outside. This is understandable as many outdoor activities like running,
biking, etc., are very compatible with social distancing, explained Kevin
Myles, professor in the Department of
Entomology.
“One unintended consequence of this trend is that people may be
increasingly exposed to mosquitoes and other disease vectors as the weather
warms. As a result, everyone should be reminded to wear appropriate clothing
and insect repellant when spending time outdoors, as vector-borne diseases
continue to pose a threat to public health, in addition to flu and COVID-19,”
Myles said.
The virus is thought to spread mainly from
person-to-person including people who are in close contact with one another—within
about six feet—and through respiratory droplets produced when an infected
person coughs or sneezes. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of
people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.
The World Health Organization has also reported there is no information nor evidence,
at this time, to suggest that that novel coronavirus could be transmitted by
mosquitoes.
The American Mosquito Control Association is monitoring the situation.
For more information regarding the
Coronavirus, visit Texas A&M AgriLife’s Disaster Education Network.
To help prevent the spread and protect
yourself, wash hands under soap and water for at least 20 seconds, use a hand
sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol, avoid close contact and practice social
distancing.
Many people are hearing about coronavirus for the first time as the China strain,
COVID-19, affecting humans causes concern all across the world. But
coronaviruses are not new to livestock and poultry producers, according
to a Texas A&M AgriLife veterinary epidemiologist.
Strains of coronavirus can occur annually in domestic cattle herds. (Texas A&M AgriLife photo by Kay Ledbetter)
According to
the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, common human coronaviruses
usually cause mild to moderate upper-respiratory tract illnesses, like the common
cold. Most people get infected with one or more of these viruses at some point
in their lives.
But the CDC is
now responding to an outbreak of respiratory disease caused by a novel or new
coronavirus that was first detected in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China.
“Coronavirus is
a common virus in livestock herds and poultry flocks seen routinely worldwide,”
said Heather Simmons, DVM, Institute for Infectious Animal Diseases, IIAD, associate director as well as Texas
A&M AgriLife Extension Service’s associate department head and extension program leader for
Veterinary Medical Extension. IIAD is a member of the Texas A&M University
System and Texas A&M AgriLife Research.
Wildlife in
China may be human strain carriers
“In wildlife,
bats are known to carry over 100 different strains of coronavirus, and wild
civets are the source of the coronavirus that causes SARS (Severe Acute
Respiratory Syndrome), first reported in China in 2002-2003,” Simmons said.
“Although our understanding is still limited, wild pangolins (a scaly anteater)
sold at live markets may be associated with the recently reported coronavirus
outbreak in China.”
Bats, civets and pangolins are all commonly
sold at live markets in China, she said. Coronaviruses from wildlife are
dangerous since they have the potential to mutate, adapt and spill over to new
species, including humans.
“That is the
concern now, this new strain of coronavirus has emerged to cause disease in
humans,” Simmons said. “It is important to create an understanding of the
difference between coronaviruses occurring in domestic livestock and poultry
compared to coronaviruses that spill over from wildlife to humans.”
Coronavirus in
domestic livestock doesn’t jump to humans
Simmons said,
to date, the coronaviruses in
livestock are not considered reportable diseases because their main effect is
as an economic burden to livestock producers.
They are known
to occur worldwide annually, with some of the most common coronaviruses found
in production animals to include the scours and winter dysentery in beef and
dairy cattle, porcine respiratory coronavirus in swine and avian infectious
bronchitis in poultry.
The World
Health Organization has reported that while another coronavirus, MERS-CoV,
is known to be transmitted from dromedary camels to humans, other coronaviruses
circulating in domestic animals have not yet infected humans.
“That’s what is
very important to understand at this time,” Simmons said. “We have been dealing
with these diseases for a long time but as of yet, we have not seen cases worldwide
transmitted from livestock to humans or vice versa.”
What does
coronavirus look like in livestock?
While coronaviruses
have a high morbidity, or rate of illness, in livestock and poultry they are generally
considered to have low mortality, rate of death, Simmons said. Coronaviruses will affect either the
respiratory system or the gastrointestinal system, depending on the species and
the age of the animal.
Coronavirus
in cattle
In calves,
diarrhea commonly occurs in animals under three weeks of age due to a lack of
obtaining antibodies when the calf does not get enough colostrum from the mother
in order to build up immunity. Clinical signs include severe dehydration and
diarrhea. The severity of the clinical signs depends on the age of the calf and
their immune status. This is often seen by producers in the winter months as
the virus is more stable in cold weather. The second clinical syndrome, winter
dysentery is found in adult cattle. Clinical signs include bloody diarrhea with
decreased mild production, loss of appetite with some respiratory signs. Bovine
coronaviruses can also cause mild respiratory disease or pneumonia in calves up
to six months. The virus is shed in the environment through nasal secretions
and through feces.
Coronavirus
in swine
There are
multiple coronaviruses that affect swine. Like cattle, they affect the
respiratory or gastrointestinal tract. In sows and piglets, porcine respiratory
coronavirus usually presents with no clinical signs. If clinical signs do
occur, it may be a transient cough within the herd and spread of this disease
occurs through aerosolized methods.
Coronavirus
in poultry
Infectious
bronchitis virus, or IBV, is a rapidly spreading respiratory disease in young
chicks. Clinical signs in laying hens include reduced production, eggshell
abnormalities and decreased internal egg quality.
How to treat
Livestock
producers should consult with a veterinarian for treatment, Simmons said.
Treatment in livestock herds and poultry flocks typically includes supportive
therapy of fluids. Antibiotics are not indicated for viral infections but may
be used if a secondary bacterial infection occurs.
More
information can be found through the Texas &M AgriLife Extension Disaster Education
Network.
-30-
National Agriculture Week and it’s the perfect time to remind Americans
of the importance of the agriculture industry. It’s no accident
Americans enjoy the safest, most affordable and most abundant food
supply in the world. (USDA NRCS Texas, Flickr/Creative Commons)
AUSTIN,
Texas — With COVID-19 continuing to impact communities across the
country, now more than ever, we need to recognize the importance of the
agriculture industry. Sunday, March 22 marks the beginning of National
Agriculture Week and it’s the perfect time to remind our fellow
Americans of the importance of the agriculture industry. It’s no
accident Americans enjoy the safest, most affordable and most abundant
food supply in the world.
In the face of an emerging worldwide pandemic, Americans have begun
to practice social distancing, settling into isolation and uncertainty.
Many question the strength of economy or healthcare system. Yet our
nation’s true backbone, our agriculture industry, remains strong.
Throughout this crisis, our nation’s farmers and ranchers continue to
work tirelessly to produce the food and fiber we rely on.
National Agriculture Week is all about educating consumers. From the
food we eat to the shirt on our back, agriculture influences our lives
365 days of the year. Throughout this national crisis, TDA has remained
committed to a high level of service to the citizens of Texas. Texas
agriculture alone is over a $100 billion-dollar industry and leads the
nation in cattle, cotton, hay, sheep, wool, goat, mohair and horse
production.
National Agriculture Week is also a time for farmers and ranchers to
share their passion for what they do. Spending late nights and early
mornings out in the field or down in the barn working until the job is
done. They stay busy tending to livestock, hauling feed and baling the
last of the years hay. They work in the heat of summer and in the bitter
cold of winter. They make time to educate the youth and invest in the
future generation of agriculture. Most importantly, they wake up loving
what they do and lay down at night praying they can do it all again the
following day.
This year, National Agriculture Week is March 22-28. I ask that you
take a moment to thank your local farmers and ranchers for their
commitment to the agriculture industry. We are blessed to live in
America, where even in difficult times, we are blessed to enjoy an
abundant and safe food suppy from right here at home — all thanks to
agriculture. To all our farmers and ranchers, may God bless you, your
families and our great nation. An eighth-generation Texas farmer and rancher, Sid Miller is the
12th Commissioner of the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA). A
ten-time world champion rodeo cowboy, he has devoted his life to
promoting Texas agriculture, rural communities and the western heritage
of Texas.
— Texas Department of Agriculture
Mineral nutrition is very important for successful beef production
because it impacts animal growth, reproduction, milk production and
health. Cattle obtain part of their mineral requirements from forage,
water and protein supplements, but the remainder of their requirements
must be met through mineral supplements.
The big question is: “Which mineral supplement is needed for my
cattle?” Selection of the right mineral is dependent on the geographical
region, forage system, cattle production stage and other factors. Jason
Banta of Texas A&M AgriLife Extension provided some considerations
in mineral supplement selection at the School for Successful Ranching
during the 2019 Cattle Raisers Convention in Fort Worth. The majority of
this article was taken from Banta’s presentation.
Components of a complete mineral supplement include salt (primarily
for its sodium content), macro minerals and trace minerals (also called
micro minerals). The supplement also may contain vitamins A, E and maybe
D. Macro minerals are expressed as a percentage of the diet, whereas
trace minerals are measured in parts per million (ppm) or milligrams per
kilograms (mg/kg). The macro and trace minerals are listed in Table 1.
All mineral supplements are not the same due to differences among
manufacturers. There are variances among formulations as well as mineral
sources. Manufacturer reputation is important. Does it stand behind its
product with good technical service? Is the formulation based on a
solid research program? Some mineral supplements contain palatability
enhancers and some don’t. A mineral supplement should have rain and wind
resistance. It is not desirable for a mineral formulation to turn into a
hard block when it is rained on.
In addition, you don’t want the particles ground so fine that they are easily blown out of the feeder.
Targeted intake varies among mineral products. Previously, it was
generally two or four ounces. Today, most of the formulations have a
target intake of four ounces. An average intake of three to four ounces
per day is acceptable for beef cattle. If targeted intake for a mineral
is not listed on the tag, it is easily determined by the selenium
content. Commonly, 25 to 27 mg/kg of selenium indicates a four-ounce
intake. If the selenium content is 50 to 54 mg/kg, target intake is
approximately two ounces per day.
There are three common mineral supplement formulations available in
Texas. One of the formulations is a high calcium (typically 14% to 18%)
and lower phosphorus (typically 5% to 8%) product.
A second formulation has similar calcium and phosphorus levels, which
are commonly around 12% each or 12% calcium and 10% phosphorus.
The third mineral formulation is suitable for cattle on green winter
pasture (small grains and/or ryegrass) because it contains moderate to
high concentrations of magnesium to help prevent grass tetany. Ensure
that salt is included in the mineral supplement because it is important
for absorption of magnesium by cattle.
Generally, 5% magnesium is adequate to prevent grass tetany problems.
Make sure cattle are eating targeted amounts of minerals because when
magnesium is increased, intake decreases. One manufacturer has been able
to raise the magnesium content to 13% and maintain consumption with a
palatability enhancer.
Additive options
Common additives found in mineral supplements include insecticides,
antibiotics and ionophores. Insect growth regulators are added primarily
for horn fly control. Cattle pass the insect growth regulators through
their digestive tract and excrete it in their feces. Horn flies are
controlled as they hatch in the manure.
Certain mineral supplements contain chlortetracycline antibiotic and
are sometimes used in areas where anaplasmosis is prevalent. These
supplements require a Veterinary Feed Directive, which is a written
statement that authorizes the owner or caretaker of animals to obtain
and use animal feed containing Veterinary Feed Directive drugs such as
antibiotics.
The ionophores — Bovatec and Rumensin — are used in some mineral
supplements. These ionophores are used to increase feed efficiency or
body weight gain by altering ruminant fermentation patterns. Make sure
to follow label directions if using a mineral supplement with an
ionophore. The product may be approved for use in growing cattle, but
not for use in cows.
There is a long list of additives offered for sale that are not
well-researched and have limited or no benefits. Use caution in
accepting claims that are not supported by legitimate research. Also
watch for selective research reporting where partial results are
reported to make the product look better than it is. Ask for research
sources to establish whether the studies were done by qualified and
impartial investigators. Obtain the original research reports to
determine if they support the claims made by the company selling the
product.
Performance of many additives on the market will not justify their cost.
Macro mineral considerations
On native rangeland, mineral concentrations decrease over time in
dormant grass, especially phosphorus and potassium. Rangeland grasses
include species such as big bluestem, little bluestem, Indiangrass and
switch grass. Bermuda, bahia, dallis and old world bluestems, such as KR
bluestem, are examples of introduced grasses. A different mineral
supplement may be required when cattle graze dormant range grasses than
the one fed during the growing season.
A two-to-one ratio of phosphorus to calcium is recommended for beef
cattle diets, but this ratio often is altered by protein and energy
supplements. The ratio is corrected by adding calcium to the feed
supplement when needed. Many people think that high levels of phosphorus
will improve reproduction; however, once nutrient requirements are met,
extra phosphorus will not have any effect.
Many rangeland soils are high in calcium or they overlay a limestone
base. This does not mean, however, that the range grasses take in more
calcium. Bermudagrass averages 0.43% calcium whereas native forages
average 0.48%.
In coastal regions, mineral intake by cattle often is challenging
because of the forage salt content. It is possible to increase intake by
feeding a low-salt mineral formulation such as ADM AMPT-T Low Salt or
Purina Coastal Cattle Mineral. Molasses-based mineral tubs also can
increase mineral consumption.
Milk fever is a disease characterized by reduced levels of calcium in
the cow’s blood. The disease occurs following calving at the onset of
lactation when calcium demand for colostrum and milk production exceeds
the cow’s ability to mobilize it. Increasing calcium content in the
mineral supplement and lowering the phosphorus level can help avoid milk
fever.
Trace mineral considerations
Dietary requirement of copper, zinc and manganese in mineral
supplements is a ratio of 10-30-40, but most formulated minerals have
either 1-4-2 or 1-3-2 ratios. Many products contain considerably more
copper than needed. A few products have amounts of copper that are
concerning because high levels have been reported to reduce average
daily gain. Copper has no effect on female reproductive capability and
probably none on bulls. Zinc is important for ovarian remodeling and
corpus luteum production which is essential for establishing and
maintaining pregnancy. In males, zinc impacts testicular growth.
Manganese possibly affects estrous, but there are no reports of the
mineral affecting reproduction in the male.
A 1,250-pound cow requires about 1.30 milligrams of selenium per day.
The FDA limit for feeding selenium is three milligrams per day, which
is about 2.31 times the nutritional requirement for cattle. Toxicity
could result from cattle obtaining selenium from multiple sources in
amounts that raise their intake well above requirements.
Preferred forms of iodine in mineral supplements are calcium iodate
and EDDI, an organic form. Too much calcium iodate in a supplement has
been reported to reduce weight gain and feed intake. Don’t use potassium
or sodium iodate, because they are less stable than calcium iodate and
EDDI.
Vitamin considerations
There are two types of vitamins: water soluble and fat soluble. The B
vitamin complex is water soluble and vitamins A, D, E and K are fat
soluble. Vitamin A deficiency can occur during winter and drought, but
when cattle are grazing green grass, they get plenty of vitamin A.
Symptoms of Vitamin A deficiency include birth of dead or weak calves,
frequent occurrence of retained placentas and impairment of sperm
production. To avoid vitamin A deficiencies, make sure it is in the
mineral supplement when green grass is not available.
When selecting a mineral supplement, it is wise to consult a
qualified animal nutritionist for help in matching the right product to
your situation.
The Texas Department of State Health Officials has issued a notice
for visitors of the cattle barn during the San Antonio Stock Show and
Rodeo, held Feb. 11-14, that they may need to be assessed for possible
rabies exposure. A solid black Brangus heifer being shown by a student
from the Miller Grove ISD in Hopkins County developed rabies and was
capable of spreading the virus in the time it was in the barn on those
dates.
The notice says that the heifer was only outside of the barn while it
was being shown and while being loaded and unloaded for transport.
Public health officials have been in contact with those who cared for
the heifer and those of the animals in the nearby stalls so their risk
can be assessed.
As rabies is spread through the saliva of infected animals, anyone
who put their hand in the heifer’s nose or mouth, or had contact between
the animal’s saliva and an open wound or mucous membrane like the eyes,
nose or mouth should be evaluated for rabies exposure by contacting
their physician, the notice states. Those who didn’t have that kind of
contact with the animal are not at risk of contacting rabies.
If treatment is started before symptoms begin, rabies can be
prevented. After symptoms begin, it is nearly always fatal. It can take
between three weeks and three months for someone who had been exposed to
rabies to become ill, the agency notes.
A map of the barn, with the affected animal’s stall marked in red, is below.
