A case of trichomoniasis, a venereal disease affecting cattle, has been confirmed in a herd in Lincoln County, Wyoming, Northern AG Network reports.
Known commonly as “trich,” the disease is caused by the protozoa Tritrichomonas foetus. It is transmitted among cows by infected bulls, leading to reduced fertility and increased risk of abortion in affected herds.
While cows and heifers typically clear the infection within three to six months, bulls remain lifelong carriers without showing symptoms. Currently, there is no approved medical treatment for trichomoniasis. The disease is managed by identifying and culling infected bulls from herds to prevent further transmission.
This marks the second confirmed case of trich in Wyoming in 2024. The first was reported in Fremont County in January, with the affected herd released from quarantine in July. Prior to these incidents, Wyoming had been free of trichomoniasis since 2016.
Trichomoniasis has been a persistent issue in cattle across many Western states for decades and has been documented in Wyoming since the 1970s. Experts stress that testing remains the only reliable method to confirm the presence of the disease, making regular screening critical for maintaining herd health.
Livestock producers in Wyoming are encouraged to stay vigilant, conduct routine testing, and promptly isolate infected animals to protect their operations from this costly and disruptive disease.
