New Nevada Agriculture Regulations Aim To Curb Trichomonosis
NEVADA - State health officials are advocating better safe sex practices - among bovines.
30 July 2007
1 minute read
Trichomonosis is a sexually transmitted disease passed from bulls to cows. The disease induces abortions in pregnant cows. New trichomonosis regulations took effect July 1 in an effort to cut down on the number of calves lost due to the disease.
The new regulations, handed down from the Nevada Department of Agriculture, require testing of bulls older than 8 months prior to sale or coming into the state, unless the animals are being sold directly for slaughter.
Annette Rink, acting state veterinarian, said "trich" testing is an established practice in the Western United States, where most of the bulls entering Nevada come from.
"The only reason regulations are necessary is because of the neighbors," Rink said.
Rink said the disease has been around for as long as people have had domesticated cattle. The transmission cycle travels from bulls to cows, which in turn infect new bulls.
