KALAMAZOO COUNTY, MI -- Less than a week after two cattle in Ottawa County tested positive for bovine tuberculosis, state agriculture officials have found two additional infections in Kalamazoo County.
The cases are linked, state analysts say, because cattle from the Ottawa County herd had previously been at the Kalamazoo County location.
Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development leaders on Feb. 14 announced the Ottawa County discovery, then on Tuesday, Feb. 20 said they had traced cattle movements to the Kalamazoo County herd.
Both herds involve roping cattle, which are bred and developed for use in rodeos and to train riders in roping techniques.
Inspectors find bovine tuberculosis in West Michigan cattle herd
In both cases, state officials have established a three-mile surveillance area surrounding the two properties. Other farms within the three-mile zone now have six months to complete bovine tuberculosis testing on their animals.
State agriculture officials say they will be sending letters to farms that need to do testing.
"The thorough investigation done by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and U.S. Department of Agriculture staff allowed us to find this herd quickly," Jarold Goodrich, acting assistant state veterinarian, said about the Kalamazoo County case. "We were able to remove the exposed animals for testing in a rapid manner and will be working to identify any other farms that may be involved."
The infected animals in Ottawa and Kalamazoo counties originated from an Indiana herd that tested positive for bovine TB in December 2016, according to the MDARD announcement. Whole genome sequencing was used to confirm that the bovine TB found in the infected animals was similar to the infected Indiana herd.
Two informational meetings have been scheduled in Kalamazoo and Ottawa counties for people to learn more and ask questions:
- Tuesday, March 6 at 7 p.m. at the Grandville Middle School Auditorium, 3535 Wilson Avenue SE.
- Wednesday, March 7 at 7 p.m. at the Kellogg Biological Station Academic Building Auditorium, 3700 E Gull Lake Dr., Hickory Corners.
from Health - Google News http://ift.tt/2Cz6Xzp
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