The situation in Manitoba is very similar to that in both Michigan and Minnesota where wildlife (white-tailed deer and elk) are believed to be the reservoir for bovine TB, spreading to cattle by infected feed, water sources, and rarely by direct wildlife - cattle contact.
Canada Confirms Bovine TB Case in Manitoba
5/12/2008
Pro Farmer Editors
Bovine tuberculosis (TB) has been confirmed in a five-year-old beef cow from a herd in Manitoba, according to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), although the agency says there is no public health risk associated with this case.
The herd is located within 10 kilometers of Riding Mountain National Park, in a portion of the Riding Mountain Eradication Area (RMEA) that is considered to be at highest risk for bovine TB. The herd was tested in March 2008 under CFIA's enhanced surveillance program and the test result for this cow was considered to be suspicious. The animal was ordered destroyed and tissue samples were submitted to the CFIA laboratory in Ottawa for further testing. Bovine TB was confirmed on May 1. No part of the infected cow entered the human or animal food chain. There is no public health risk associated with this case.
This finding does not affect Manitoba’s status as bovine TB-free under the Health of Animals Regulations, CFIA said, and Canada’s status for international trade of animals and animal products is not affected by this finding.
The CFIA is working closely with the operator of the infected farm in conducting the investigation into this case. All susceptible animals determined to have been exposed to bovine TB will be ordered destroyed and compensation will be paid to the owner.
While Canada’s livestock herds are considered to be free from bovine TB, cases such as this one occur from time-to-time. Whenever an infected herd is found, the CFIA institutes measures to contain and eradicate the outbreak. The policy of requiring the immediate, humane destruction of all infected animals and any exposed susceptible animals is the only proven way to eliminate the disease. Under the enhanced surveillance program, livestock herds located in the RMEA undergo periodic testing for bovine TB.
The infected cow was in a herd of 240 cattle, which was among the approximately 200 herds scheduled for testing during the fall/winter/spring of 2007/2008. The last finding of bovine TB in Manitoba occurred in March 2004.
While bovine TB primarily affects ruminant animals (cattle, bison, elk, deer, goats and sheep), it can affect all types of mammals, including humans. Infection in humans results from prolonged, close contact with an infected animal or the consumption of unpasteurized milk from an infected cow. If persons who were exposed to the diseased cow are identified, the appropriate public health follow-up will be initiated.
Canada Confirms Bovine TB Case in Manitoba
5/12/2008
Pro Farmer Editors
Bovine tuberculosis (TB) has been confirmed in a five-year-old beef cow from a herd in Manitoba, according to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), although the agency says there is no public health risk associated with this case.
The herd is located within 10 kilometers of Riding Mountain National Park, in a portion of the Riding Mountain Eradication Area (RMEA) that is considered to be at highest risk for bovine TB. The herd was tested in March 2008 under CFIA's enhanced surveillance program and the test result for this cow was considered to be suspicious. The animal was ordered destroyed and tissue samples were submitted to the CFIA laboratory in Ottawa for further testing. Bovine TB was confirmed on May 1. No part of the infected cow entered the human or animal food chain. There is no public health risk associated with this case.
This finding does not affect Manitoba’s status as bovine TB-free under the Health of Animals Regulations, CFIA said, and Canada’s status for international trade of animals and animal products is not affected by this finding.
The CFIA is working closely with the operator of the infected farm in conducting the investigation into this case. All susceptible animals determined to have been exposed to bovine TB will be ordered destroyed and compensation will be paid to the owner.
While Canada’s livestock herds are considered to be free from bovine TB, cases such as this one occur from time-to-time. Whenever an infected herd is found, the CFIA institutes measures to contain and eradicate the outbreak. The policy of requiring the immediate, humane destruction of all infected animals and any exposed susceptible animals is the only proven way to eliminate the disease. Under the enhanced surveillance program, livestock herds located in the RMEA undergo periodic testing for bovine TB.
The infected cow was in a herd of 240 cattle, which was among the approximately 200 herds scheduled for testing during the fall/winter/spring of 2007/2008. The last finding of bovine TB in Manitoba occurred in March 2004.
While bovine TB primarily affects ruminant animals (cattle, bison, elk, deer, goats and sheep), it can affect all types of mammals, including humans. Infection in humans results from prolonged, close contact with an infected animal or the consumption of unpasteurized milk from an infected cow. If persons who were exposed to the diseased cow are identified, the appropriate public health follow-up will be initiated.