The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and the U.S. Department of Agriculture recently detected bovine tuberculosis (TB) while conducting routine surveillance testing.
Bovine TB, which mostly affects cattle, is an infectious bacterial illness. Unfortunately, the disease can transmit throughout wildlife to other mammals, including humans.
The infected beef is in a medium-sized herd located in Alpena County. Since 1998, this is the 28th cattle herd based in Alpena County and the 63rd herd based in Michigan that has been confirmed to have bovine TB.
The specific herd is in a region where free-ranging whitetail deer are known to be endemic with bovine TB. Direct and indirect contact with the deer can transmit bovine TB from the deer to the cattle.
This is the third infected herd that health officials detected in 2015. Health professionals and veterinary experts promise to continue collaborating with farmers to decrease the chances of their cattle having any direct or indirect contact with other animals that are potentially infected with bovine TB.
Health officials have scheduled an informational meeting for dairy and beef cattle producers at Green Township Hall, 14621 M-32 in Lachine, for 7 p.m. Jan. 21.
