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South Dakota herd positive for bovine TB

Bovine tuberculosis (TB) has been confirmed in a South Dakota beef cattle herd.
State Veterinarian Dr. Dustin Oedekoven says suspect animals were identified in February during routine slaughter inspection of cattle that otherwise appeared healthy. Animal ID records resulted in the cattle being traced to a Harding County herd in the northwestern part of the state where testing revealed additional infected animals. Oedekoven says adjacent herds will be tested.

Bovine TB is respiratory and does not spread easily. Infected animals can transmit the infection to other animals even if they appear healthy. A cooperative eradication campaign has nearly eliminated bovine TB from the U.S. South Dakota has been officially bovine TB-free since 1982, although the last affected herd was identified in November, 2011. Milk pasteurization and meat inspection have prevented bovine TB from being a food safety threat.