What is the best way to control a tick fever outbreak?
Outbreaks demand quick action to minimise losses. It is vital to: • contact a veterinarian for advice • monitor the mob for signs of disease • take blood smears from affected cattle and treat with a suitable drug • treat all cattle, if possible, with a suitable tickicide • treat the entire mob for tick fever, or monitor closely and treat new cases as symptoms develop (depends on the severity of the outbreak) • vaccinate at-risk cattle immediately or one to two weeks after the outbreak has abated • monitor cattle in adjoining paddocks • work out a dipping and vaccination strategy to protect the rest of the herd that includes annual vaccination of calves and introduced cattle.
