Earlier this week, a herd of roping cattle in Ottawa County, Michigan was identified as bovine tuberculosis positive.

The identification comes after a trace investigation from two bovine TB positive cases found at a processing facility.

The infected animals originally came from a herd in Indiana, prior to the Indiana herd being tested and found positive for bovine TB in December of 2016.

"Every time a bovine tuberculosis animal is identified at a processing plant, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development work to track where the animal has traveled," said Jarold Goodrich, DVM, acting assistant state veterinarian. "In Michigan, all cattle moving off any farm or property must have a radio-frequency identification ear tag that begins with 840 to ensure animals can be traced during a disease emergency. Additionally, there are identification and health certificate requirements for cattle moving to Michigan farms from other states."

A three mile surveillance area has been set up around the farm with the infected herd, and all cattle in that area will have to undergo bovine TB testing in the next six months.

Indiana and Michigan are among six states known to have infected cattle herds. The other states include Nebraska, New Mexico, South Dakota, and Texas.

 

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