Published: February 04, 2008 11:49 am            

Minnesota TB investigation leads to the discovery of neighboring positive herd

Officials prepare for possible downgrade in Minnesota’s TB status

ST. PAUL (Feb. 4, 2008) — The Minnesota Board of Animal Health today announced that cattle from a Roseau cattle operation tested positive for bovine tuberculosis.

The newly detected beef herd was tested because of its proximity to an operation that tested positive for bovine TB in 2005. The Roseau County herd tested negative in 2005 and 2006 but during a third round of testing earlier this month, two animals tested suspect for bovine TB. Tissue samples were submitted to the National Veterinary Services Laboratory in Ames, Iowa, where a diagnosis of bovine TB was confirmed.

Minnesota has now detected bovine TB in 10 beef herds.

Minnesota Board of Animal Health Executive Director and State Veterinarian Bill Hartmann said if another infected herd is found Minnesota’s TB status may be downgraded.

“Conversations are ongoing with the U.S. Department of Agriculture about Minnesota’s future TB status should we find one more herd,” Hartmann said. “It’s important that we prepare for all possibilities and unfortunately, one scenario would see the downgrading of our status from Modified Accredited Advanced to Modified Accredited, the middle rung in an international five-tier ranking system for cattle TB eradication.”

Federal interstate movement requirements would change with the status. Other state’s requirements could also change, so producers should plan to contact the animal health agency in the state they are shipping to for their import requirements. A list of these agencies is available on the Board website. Log on to www.bah.state.mn.us and click on Export Regulations under the Quick Links drop down menu.

“All shipments of cattle moving across the border must meet both federal and state import requirements,” Hartmann said. “The state is currently reviewing these regulations to determine what the interstate movements would be if the status changes. We will be contacting cattle producers to inform them of those requirements as soon as we have more information.”

The BAH is currently planning meetings throughout the state to present this information to cattle producers and allow producers to give their input directly to the state agencies involved. Details will be available soon.

Exposure to bovine tuberculosis through the milk or meat supply is unlikely. Meat inspectors check all cattle entering the marketplace for signs of the disease before and after slaughter. Any animals showing signs are withheld from the food supply. In addition, adequate cooking destroys the bacteria.

More information on bovine TB in Minnesota and the testing campaign can be found on the Board’s website by clicking Bovine Tuberculosis under the Hot Topics menu or by calling the Minnesota TB Hotline at (877) MN TB FREE (668-2373).

        

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