Bovine TB found in Nebraska

According to a Dec. 22 press release from the Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) State Veterinarian Dr. Dennis Hughes, NDA and USDA veterinarians have discovered a bovine tuberculosis (TB)-positive cow in a beef cattle herd in Wheeler County, NE. The Nebraska herd was identified through an epidemiological investigation from an infected herd in South Dakota. “Nebraska was contacted by the South Dakota Animal Industry Board earlier this year as they began to trace the movement of cattle into and out of their infected herd,” said Hughes. “We have been diligently working with our counterparts in South Dakota and the USDA to locate and test the cattle that were moved into Nebraska, and through that testing procedure we discovered the TB-positive cow in Wheeler County.” NDA and USDA are currently working together with the producer, who has been cooperating with both agencies. The herd is under quarantine. TB is a slow, progressive disease and is difficult to diagnose in the early stages; however, as the disease progresses, animals can exhibit emaciation, lethargy, weakness, anorexia, low-grade fever, and a pneumonia with a chronic, moist cough. If a producer sees any of these symptoms in their herd, they should contact their local veterinarian. Further information, including FAQ sheets on TB can be found on the NDA website at www.nda.nebraska.gov.