Second Herd With Bovine Tuberculosis Found in New Mexico

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service has reclassified New Mexico as modified accredited advanced for bovine tuberculosis. Although this action is consistent with the reclassification of other accredited-free states with two or more TB-affected herds during a 48-month period, intact heifers still can be shipped interstate if moved directly to a feedlot or in feeder channels. Also, the movement of spayed heifers and steers, cattle from a TB-accredited-free herd and cattle or bison less than 6 months of age can continue. 

APHIS had previously divided the state of New Mexico into two zones for the purpose of TB status classification, with an accredited-free zone and a modified accredited advanced zone. In April 2007, New Mexico officials confirmed an affected dairy herd in the accredited-free zone during an epidemiological investigation of a TB-positive cow found through slaughter surveillance. Recently, a second affected herd was identified in the same zone, which means the zone no longer meets the requirements for accredited-free status.  

Notice of this interim rule was published in the Sept. 11 Federal Register and became effective upon publication.

Source: Feedstuffs