January 24, 2008

Minnesota discovers additional cattle herd infected with bovine TB

The Minnesota Board of Animal Health announced today that a Roseau County beef cattle herd was positive for bovine tuberculosis (TB).

As part of TB investigation, the Minnesota board tested cattle within ten miles of an infected cattle herd or infected white-tail deer.

The herd in Roseau tested negative in 2005 and 2006, but for the third follow-up in November 2007, one animal was suspected for bovine TB.

The National Veterinary Services Laboratory (NVSL) in Ames, Iowa later on confirmed the new bovine TB case late last week when tissue samples were received.

Minnesota has now reported of bovine TB in nine beef herds.

The USDA has begun the indemnification process, which consists of appraising the herd so that it can be purchased from the producers and put down.

Minnesota Board of Animal Health executive director and state veterinarian Bill Hartmann said that efforts will continue to restore the state's status to TB-free.

However, the discovery of additional TB-infected herd could low down Minnesota's status.

Michelle Carstensen, DNR wildlife health program coordinator, said complete test results will be available in the coming weeks. She added that although the recent report is a concern, the good news is the disease remains confined to a small area.