Minnesota Heightens Bovine TB Testing Requirements For Affected Area
US - As a result of the identification of bovine tuberculosis (TB) infected deer in northwestern Minnesota, the Board of Animal Health is increasing testing requirements for cattle herds located within a 12-mile area surrounding the positive deer (see map).
13 April 2007
2 minute read
Surveillance by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) of hunter harvested, free-ranging, white-tailed deer during the last two hunting seasons identified seven TB-infected deer within the immediate vicinity of formerly TB-infected cattle premises. The potential for contact with TB-infected deer poses a risk to cattle herds in the area.
The Minnesota Board of Animal Health (MBAH), with the input of the affected producers as well as the state's cattle industry, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, the USDA, and the DNR, has outlined a plan for managing cattle herds in this area to protect these herds and the state's beef industry from this risk.
Under the plan, the board will work with cattle producers in the core area to implement measures such as fencing and alternative feeding and watering methods to mitigate the risk of interaction between deer and cattle. Producers within this core area will inventory and TB-test their cattle herds annually. All animals in the Core Area will also require testing prior to moving off the farm.
“The testing will ensure early detection of any new TB infection in cattle that might result from exposure to TB-infected deer,” said MBAH Executive Director and State Veterinarian Dr. Bill Hartmann. “In addition, these measures will provide assurance to other states and cattle markets that animals in this Core Area are not infected with TB.”
Herds located near the core area will be included in a TB Management Zone. These herds will need to test annually. All required tests will be done at government expense.
For more information on Bovine Tuberculosis, click here.
