February 22, 2008

Minnesota to drop in TB-free status as new cases were found

The Minnesota Board of Animal Health said the state would likely receive a downgrade in its bovine TB status after a beef cattle herd in Beltrami County tested positive for bovine tuberculosis.

This is the fourth case since October 2007.

The USDA prescribes a status downgrade when more than three herds are discovered within a 12-month period.

In July 2005, 11 infected beef cattle herds, all in Roseau and Beltrami counties, have been found in the state.

Officials said Minnesota would drop from Modified Accredited Advanced to Modified Accredited, two steps down from the highest level, TB-Free.

Upon downgrade, the state producers will have to adhere to stricter requirements when shipping cattle.