The Montana Department of Livestock has confirmed the first case of bovine tuberculosis (TB) in a Blaine County, MT, herd, following the detection of the disease in a cow at slaughter.
Meat inspectors identified the infected cow during a routine inspection at a Minnesota plant. Identification collected from the infected cow at the time of slaughter linked it to the Blaine County beef herd, and subsequent testing revealed additional animals infected with TB.
At this time, the herd is placed under total quarantine while the herd is repeatedly tested to evaluate the disease’s spread extent and mitigate further spread. Adjacent herds, and herds that have shipped animals into or received animals from the source herd, are also being tested.
“We are working closely with the herd owner, USDA and wildlife officials on next steps,” said State Veterinarian Marty Zaluski in a statement. “The purpose of the investigation is to determine if other herds or wildlife are involved, and if possible, to determine the source of disease introduction.”
