Cattle Herd Found Free Of Brucellosis
MONTANA - The Montana Department of Livestock reported Thursday that another cow herd tested negative for brucellosis.
1 June 2007
1 minute read
Earlier this month, seven cows near Bridger were found with the contagious disease, putting Montana's brucellosis-free status at risk. A second separate herd testing positive would cause the state to lose its status, requiring that all breeding-age cattle shipped out of state be tested until the state goes 12 months without another positive test.
Lisa Schmidt, a spokesperson for the Livestock Department, said the agency would not release names or locations of the animals tested in an attempt to protect the owners' confidentiality.
"I have no numbers as to how many are being tested," Schmidt said. Tests are being done on all cows that came into contact with the herd that tested positive two weeks ago.
Veterinarians with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal Plant Health Inspection Service are drawing the blood, which is then sent to the State Diagnostic Laboratory in Bozeman.
Earlier this week, test results from two herds near Bridger were negative.
Brucellosis can cause abortions in pregnant cows, bison, elk and pigs.
Source: BillingsGazette
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