LANSING – Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) is reporting cases of bovine tuberculosis (TB) in two cattle herds from Iosco County.
One herd was found as part of a trace investigation related to a previously identified TB-positive herd and the other was identified as part of routine whole herd surveillance testing.
“These latest detections of bovine TB underscore why this disease is so challenging to address and the critical need to thoroughly investigate animal movements and maintain active surveillance in order to manage this disease,” said State Veterinarian Nora Wineland. “MDARD remains committed to working together with agency partners, producers, and stakeholders to ensure the strength of Michigan’s cattle industry as well as to protect animal and public health.”
Bovine TB is a bacterial disease that can affect all mammals, including humans. It is known to be present in the free-ranging white-tailed deer population in specific areas of northeastern lower Michigan, and the disease can be transmitted between deer and cattle. There are currently two TB zones within the state: a four-county area (Alcona, Alpena, Montmorency and Oscoda counties) known ...