Bovine Tuberculosis
- TB Testing Requirments of Cattle Entering Indiana Summary Sheet
- Michigan TB Status Zones Information
- Link to Michigan's Bovine TB Web Page
- White-tailed Deer TB Survey & Hunting Season Information
- Indiana Deer Health Information
- Q & A: BovineTuberculosis Signs and Symptoms
- Q & A: Keeping Herds Free from Bovine Tubeculosis and Protecting the Food Supply
- More FAQs: 2011 Bovine Tuberculosis Infection and Testing
- Bovine TB Lesion Guide
Current TB Status
State Investigating Imported Cattle Linked to South Dakota Bovine TB Case
INDIANAPOLIS (23 November 2011) —Indiana State Board of Animal Health (BOAH) has been notified by the State Veterinarian of South Dakota that seven head of beef cattle recently shipped to Indiana may have been exposed to bovine tuberculosis (commonly called “TB,” or more formally known as Mycobacterium bovis).
BOAH has identified and quarantined all of the herds to which these animals were shipped. At this early stage, none of the imported cattle have tested positive for the disease. BOAH is working to complete testing as soon as possible.
Until test results are available, these animals are considered “exposed” to TB. As information develops, BOAH will be notifying herd owners and others who may be impacted by the investigation. BOAH has not made any changes to testing requirements or limited animal movement.
Current information on these animals does not indicate a link to Indiana’s most recent case of TB, which was identified in Dearborn County nearly one year ago. That case was closed in August, after the index herd was depopulated and all associated trace herds were tested.
Indiana has held a bovine tuberculosis-free status since 1984 with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Under federal guidelines, that status remains. Prior to the 2010 incident, the last time a Hoosier cattle herd tested positive for the disease was in the 1970s. In 2009, a cervid herd tested positive for TB, and was ultimately depopoulated.
About Bovine TB
Bovine tuberculosis is a chronic bacterial disease that affects primarily cattle, but can be transmitted to any warm-blooded animal. TB is difficult to diagnose through clinical signs alone. In the early stages of the disease, clinical signs are not visible. Later, signs may include: emaciation, lethargy, weakness, anorexia, low-grade fever and pneumonia with a chronic, moist cough. Lymph node enlargement may also be present. Cattle owners who notice these signs in their livestock should contact their private veterinarian.
More information about the disease and the investigation, as it develops, will be available on the BOAH website at: http://www.boah.in.gov/.
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