Texas to set up infectious disease task force in wake of Ebola

Texas to set up infectious disease task force in wake of Ebola

AUSTIN Texas Mon Oct 6, 2014 1:22pm EDT

(Reuters) - Texas Governor Rick Perry on Monday said the state was setting up an infectious disease task force in the wake of a man in Dallas becoming diagnosed with Ebola.

Perry also called for more federal action to contain Ebola, such as enhanced border protection, adding that he did not support bans on travel from the Ebola-hit countries in West Africa. The infected man arrived in Texas from Liberia.

"Over the past several days, we have learned a lot about the unique challenges of situations like this, and it's important that we continue to adapt our responses to these realities," Perry told a news conference at the capitol building.

The head of the new Texas team, Texas A&M Health Science Center Chief Executive Brett Giroir, called Ebola a "serious concern" for Texas.

"We live in an interconnected world, where an outbreak anywhere is a risk everywhere," Giroir said.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/...0HV1OQ20141006

USDA Imposes Fever Tick Quarantine in Cameron County

Posted: Oct 6, 2014 6:19 PM
Updated: Oct 7, 2014 9:14 AM

LOS FRESNOS - Cameron County cattle ranchers are about to learn how a fever tick quarantine will impact them.

Officials with the U.S. Department of Agriculture held a meeting Monday at the Los Fresnos Community Center to address the issue.

Rancher David Perez said he will keep a closer eye on some of his prized possessions. He has raised cattle for 20 years in his ranch near Los Fresnos. He has six head of cattle on his ranch right now.

"I usually keep them out here for at least a good eight years or so," Perez said.

"I sell them in Edinburg and I'm sure they go right to the market," he said.

"Sometimes, when you let them go, you kind of feel bad about it. That's the way it is. You can't keep all of them," Perez said.

Perez sprays his cattle a couple of times a month to ward off ticks and other insects. He says he didn't know about the quarantine.

"Now that you all told me about it, I'll probably keep an eye on it," Perez told a CHANNEL 5 NEWS crew.

A cattle fever tick was discovered on a ranch near the Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge. Those ticks are known to pass on deadly parasites. Now, about 223,000 acres are under quarantine.

Perez said he doesn't remember any other quarantine.

"Since I've been here ... it has never happened," he said.

Perez won't be able to move his cattle until they have been inspected and treated for ticks.

USDA inspectors visited Perez to gather information about his cattle. Perez said he will work with the agency to keep his cattle tick-free.

Perez said he has plenty of grass on his property for his cattle to graze on until the quarantine is over.

The quarantine will last until the USDA says the threat of the cattle fever tick is gone.

This tick can be hosted by cattle, horses, deer and antelope.

However, the Texas Animal Health Commission says the only species at risk is cattle. It will not hurt humans or any other animal.

http://www.krgv.com/news/usda-impose...ameron-county/