USDA Veteran Patrols For Ticks
Save Email Print
Bookmark and Share
USDA Veteran Patrols For Ticks
A USDA veteran has been patrolling a stretch of the Rio Grande for 16 years in search of livestock that could be carrying a tiny and potentially deadly pest.
width:200 and height: 120 and picwidth: 200 and pciheight: 120
Font Size:

(April 19, 2008)—U.S. Department of Agriculture Veteran Fred Garza has been patrolling a piece of the Rio Grande for 16 years usually on horseback in search of stray livestock that might be carrying a tiny pest and its cargo of a deadly disease.

Garza is a veteran of the 61-member USDA "Tick Rider" force, which keeps watch over a 700-mile buffer zone along the Rio Grande from Brownsville to Del Rio, inspecting both foreign strays and native ranch animals for the fever tick.

The parasite, which was eradicated from America more than 60 years ago, can transmit disease to cattle and could spread to the entire southeastern United States if not controlled.

The tick has managed lately to migrate beyond the 862-square mile permanent quarantine zone.

To move cattle out of any quarantine zone and into the "free area," they must first be inspected for ticks.

Experts say tick fever can kill up to 90 percent of infected cattle, causing anemia, weight loss and bloody urine before death.

Click Here For USDA Web Site

Latest Comments

Posted by: Gringo Location: Everywhere on Apr 19, 2008 at 07:33 PM

Ticks at the Rio Grande? Wonder where they came from? lol :-)
More Stories
KWTX.com Features
Double Dollar Deals
Half Price Deals at Central Texas restaurants and businesses. A new deal every Thursday at 7:00am.
Law Line
This free service can help you find answers to your legal questions about personal injury, criminal law, bankruptcy, family law and more.
Army Way
Learn all about the symbols, traditions, and customs of the US Army.
Job of the Week
Click now to see hundreds of other jobs on Job Board TV!


Catering Ambassador - If you are an expert at customer service, love sales & McAlister’s Deli’s sweet tea then come work for us! We are looking for an energetic, friendly, self-starter who has experience with both sales and customer service for their Catering Ambassador position. Join the McAlister’s team!

Also, take a look at the most recent jobs posted to Job Board TV at KWTX.com: View More Jobs.