Media Release: Swift action by DPI when cattle tick detected in Victoria

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Cattle ticks (Boophilus microplus) have been detected on two cattle on a property in northern Victoria.

The Department of Primary Industries (DPI) Senior Veterinary Officer John Ryan said these detections followed a recent report from NSW Department of Industry and Investment (DII) that cattle carrying ticks may have been introduced onto a Victorian property.

"Within minutes of receiving the report Victorian DPI Animal Health staff were able to establish the NLIS tag details of the cattle and using the NLIS database track them to the Victorian property," Dr Ryan said.

"The Victorian property was visited by DPI Animal Health staff on Monday, October 26, the affected cattle were quickly located and treated by DPI.

"The life cycle of the cattle tick consists of two phases, the parasitic phase, during which ticks feed on cattle, and the non-parasitic phase, which is spent on the ground.

"Advice will be provided to the producer on the treatment of cattle that in coming weeks could become exposed to juvenile ticks that may now be present on the pasture," Dr Ryan said.

The cold climatic conditions in Victoria during winter prevent cattle tick from establishing here.

"Ticks could however survive long enough over the summer and early autumn to cause an outbreak of tick fever,’ Dr Ryan said.

"Tick fever is a cattle disease caused by blood damaging parasites transmitted by the cattle tick.

‘Although tick fever has never been diagnosed in Victoria, an outbreak has occurred previously in southern Western Australia, highlighting the need for action following this cattle tick incursion."

For further advice please contact the DPI Customer Service Centre on 136 186 or your local DPI Veterinary or DPI Animal Health Officer or if you are located in NSW contact your Department of Industry and Investment.