July 11, 2006

Australian cattle hit by BJD

A herd of beef cattle in Western Australia has been quarantined after testing positive for Bovine Johne's Disease (BJD).

Veterinarians from the Department of Agriculture found the disease in the cattle after tests were made when their owner reported many smaller cows in the herd losing weight.

BJD is a rare condition that causes cattle to develop incurable diarrhoea and severe weight losses. This is the first case of the disease in Western Australia. The Australian government granted AUS$4 million (US$3 million) to eradicate the disease from herds 3 years ago.

Chief veterinary officer Dr Peter Buckman says the department is tracking the herd's movements to trace the disease, adding that the herd may have to be slaughtered.

The agriculture department said it is developing a plan to investigate whether the disease could be present anywhere else in the state and are drafting measures to eradicate the disease.