Disease Surveillance Testing in Potential High Risk Areas Completed
Disease Surveillance Testing in Potential High Risk Areas Completed
Agency: Agriculture and Rural DevelopmentA total of 7,441 cattle were tested in the designated circles, and no evidence of bovine TB was found For Immediate Release: January 13, 2015 & Jennifer Holton, 517-284-5724 or holtonj@michigan.gov Lansing, MI – The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) recently released the Potential High Risk and Special Surveillance Area designations for bovine Tuberculosis (TB) established in 2014 for portions of Presque Isle, Cheboygan, Otsego, and Huron counties. Bovine TB is an infectious disease caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium bovis and primarily affects cattle; however, other Michigan animals have become infected as bovine TB can be transmitted between wildlife populations and other mammals, including humans.
“As part of vigilant testing of bovine TB, MDARD stepped up surveillance testing and were able to quickly prove the disease had not spread,” said Dr. James Averill, State Veterinarian. “We are appreciative for the continued cooperation of our cattle farmers.”
On March 17, 2014, MDARD designated Potential High Risk Areas for circle testing within a 10-mile radius around two TB positive free-ranging white-tailed deer, one found in Presque Isle County and the other found in Montmorency County.
Surveillance areas for circle testing within a three-mile radius were also established on March 31, 2014 and May 6, 2014 around two separate TB positive feedlots located in Huron County.
As required by Public Act 466 of 1988, as amended, MDARD must test all cattle on farms within a specific geographical circle when TB positive wildlife or cattle herds are found.
A total of 7,441 head of cattle from 55 herds were tested in the designated circles, and no evidence of bovine TB was found. Based on these results, MDARD released the orders for Potential High Risk and Special Surveillance Area designations.
For more information, go to the website at www.michigan.gov/emergingdiseases.
###
###
Follow us on Facebook: facebook.com/MIDeptofAgriculture Follow us on Twitter: @MichDeptofAg Subscribe to our Youtube Channel: youtube.com/MIAgriculture
