KANSAS CITY (Dow Jones)--A one-time targeted bovine tuberculosis testing campaign is planned for the fall to determine if Minnesota's cattle population harbors any remaining level of bovine TB, according to a release from the state Board of Animal Health.
In 2005, five beef cattle herds in northwestern Minnesota were identified as positive for bovine TB, the release said. As a result, the U.S. Department of Agriculture downgraded the state's TB status from TB-Free to Modified Accredited Advanced.
Minnesota is currently one of only four states that do not have TB-free status.
In order for Minnesota to regain its accredited free status, additional TB testing is required, the release said. Herds will be selected for testing based on criteria developed by the USDA. Selection in no way implies herds have TB or have a direct link to TB-positive cattle, the BAH said.
"If this survey finds no additional cases of bovine TB, the state will have an excellent chance to regain its TB-free designation in early 2008," said Bill Hartmann, state veterinarian, in the release. "This classification is important to Minnesota's cattle industry as it removes many testing requirements when shipping cattle over state lines."
Herds selected to participate in this targeted TB testing will receive a letter within the next few weeks that outlines the entire testing process, the release said. Testing can be performed by a local TB-certified veterinarian or by a state or federal veterinarian and will be provided free of charge.
Bovine TB, caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium bovis, is a respiratory disease of cattle, the BAH said. It is a chronic, slowly progressive disease that does not spread easily, but infected animals may be capable of transmitting an infection to other animals even if they appear healthy.
Source: Lester Aldrich; Dow Jones Newswires; 913-322-5179; lester.aldrich@dowjones.com