September 10, 2024

 

Hari Hari, New Zealand declared TB-free

The West Coast area of Hari Hari, New Zealand, has been declared free of tuberculosis (TB), marking a significant milestone in the country's TB eradication programme, RNZ reported.

 

TB infections in cattle and deer herds are primarily spread by possums and can lead to severe production losses and animal welfare concerns. At its peak, 17 herds, representing a quarter of the small farming community, were infected with TB.

 

Ospri, the organisation tasked with eradicating TB, has led the effort to bring infections down to zero. Chief executive Sam McIvor credited the collaboration between farmers, Ospri, and the wider community for this achievement.

 

"This has been an area that's been a battle for quite a long time," McIvor said. "But farmers, Ospri, and the community have worked together to reach this point."

 

Over the past 30 years, outbreaks in Hari Hari's farmland have followed a cycle of recurrence every five to ten years. Before the most recent outbreak in 2019, the area had experienced four years without any infected herds.

 

"The challenge now is how we keep it at bay in the future," McIvor said, stressing the importance of continued TB testing and quick action should new cases arise.

 

Pest control will remain a key focus in the area to prevent possums from reintroducing the disease to local herds.

 

"Our wildlife surveillance in the surrounding native bush shows that TB infection may still be present in the Upper Whanganui. Another round of aerial treatment is necessary to eliminate the remaining infection, while maintaining low possum numbers across the area," McIvor added.

 

McIvor highlighted the significant impact TB can have on farms.

 

"Infected animals are slaughtered, and movement restrictions are imposed on the farms. Any livestock movement has to be directed to the works, which puts a heavy strain on farmers and their operations."

 

With Hari Hari now TB-free, the total number of TB-infected herds across New Zealand has fallen to 12, the lowest on record. This marks a dramatic reduction from 1995, when approximately 1,700 herds were infected with TB.

 

- RNZ