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Update: Bovine TB in Cherryville
June 24, 2011 - By Don Elzer
Bovine tuberculosis (TB) has occurred on a farm in Cherryville and according to the Canada Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) the infection was discovered at a slaughterhouse in the United States.
CFIA confirmed that on May 16th, one cow was discovered to have had Bovine TB at the US slaughterhouse. CFIA then traced the origin of that cow back to a farm in Cherryville. This discovery resulted in an investigation of the farm and surrounding farms and their herds.
As of today, CFIA has not shared with MVS the findings of that investigation and subsequent quarantine efforts.
MVS has been interviewing area farmers who have been impacted by the quarantine which is now believed to have been lifted.
According to one farmer, many cattle operations were impacted, beginning about six weeks ago and caused great stress in the community because of the uncertainties caused by “not knowing if other individual herds were infected”.
Local reports stated that CFIA isolated herds and animals on various farms if those animals had recent or historical contact with the farm where the original infection is believed to have happened. CFIA then reached back 5 years into a farms herd history which created a cascade effect of testing, which then widened to include additional farms and ranches.
According to interviews with farmers there was not one single case of Bovine TB discovered within other farm herds; however there is complete uncertainty whether there were additional infections within the original herd.
“That herd of between 300 and 400 cows appears to be gone”, stated one farmer.
For farmers the entire issue seems mired in speculation which leaves them with a mix of anger and relief.
“They (CFIA) seem to have done their homework and they were very thorough, said one farmer, while another suggested, “How do we know if that original infected cow actually came from Cherryville – we’re going on the word of an American slaughterhouse”.
At this time the CFIA has not confirmed with MVS the details of this occurrence in Cherryville. MVS will continue to closely follow this story as it unfolds and will attempt to shed light on Bovine TB and food security issues.
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About Bovine Tuberculosis
What is bovine tuberculosis?
Tuberculosis is a contagious disease caused by an infection in the lymph nodes which is then spread to other organs like the lungs. This disease affects practically all mammals, and before control measures were adopted, was one of the major diseases of man and domestic animals.
What are the signs of disease?
Generally, enlarged lesions in lymph nodes or other tissues examined post-mortem can indicate the presence of the disease. In some instances, the disease only becomes apparent when it reaches an advanced stage. However, the disease organisms can lie dormant in the host for its lifetime without causing a progressive disease.
Nevertheless, if the disease is progressive, the general signs are weakness, loss of appetite, weight-loss and fluctuating fever. When the lungs are extensively diseased, there can be an intermittent, hacking cough.
How is this disease spread?
Tuberculous cattle with open lung lesions throw micro-droplets of the disease agent into the air by coughing. Adult cattle are infected by the inhalation of air-borne dust particles to which the disease agent attaches itself as well as contaminated feed and water facilities. Young calves may be infected by drinking unpasteurized infected milk.
Certain scenarios can create a considerable risk of transmission and introduction of tuberculosis into other herds. The movement of infected animals from one herd to another with subsequent extended close contact can increase this risk.
Can bovine tuberculosis be spread to humans?
Bovine tuberculosis may produce infection in humans. Owners and handlers of infected cattle are at risk. Anyone who may have come in direct contact with infected animals should seek medical advice. Quarantining of the premises ensures that no other humans can come in direct contact with the infected cattle or premises.
How is bovine tuberculosis controlled in Canada?
Bovine tuberculosis is a reportable disease in Canada. When it is reported, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) follows a strict testing and eradication program. Regulations require that all infected animals as well as all exposed susceptible animals be destroyed. This is the only proven way to eliminate the disease.
Because 95 percent of all commercial animals slaughtered are sent to a federal abattoir, the CFIA uses an abattoir surveillance system which looks primarily for tuberculosis-like lesions in the lymph nodes of slaughtered animals.
When a farm has been declared infected, it is immediately put under quarantine and the provincial health department in the area of the known infection is alerted.
Are owners of cattle ordered destroyed compensated by the federal government?
Owners can be compensated up to the maximum amount established under the Health of Animals Act.
What measures are taken for cleaning and disinfecting a farm?
The owner is responsible for cleaning and disinfection of infected premises. Cleaning and disinfection can be carried out only after all the animals ordered destroyed have left the premises. Once a CFIA inspector has confirmed that the premises have been cleaned and disinfected, the quarantine can be lifted. The owner must wait 30 days before the premises can be restocked. Replacement animals will be tested at specified intervals for a period of up to four years. If the owner waits one year before restocking, no testing will be required.
What can owners do to ensure their cattle do not have tuberculosis?
There is no preventative treatment to protect animals from becoming infected with tuberculosis. Cattle buyers can require that animals be tested before purchasing. However, this does not provide 100 percent guarantee. Some infected livestock seem to be in prime condition, showing no evidence of infection until they are slaughtered. In some instances, the disease organisms lie dormant within the host's body for its lifetime, both in animals and in humans, without causing progressive disease.
How do I get more information?
Western Area: 403-292-4301
You can find your local CFIA District Office
on the CFIA website at www.inspection.gc.ca
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Breaking News: Bovine TB found in Cherryville
June 22, 2011 - By Don Elzer
My Valley Sun has learned that an outbreak of Bovine tuberculosis (TB) has occurred on a farm in Cherryville. A reliable source who has asked to remain anonymous has told MVS that a number of Canada Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) personnel have been on site in Cherryville and there have been some reports in the community that nearly 400 cattle may have been shipped into quarantine or exterminated.
Today, Christine Russell a media spokesperson for CFIA could not give a detailed comment to MVS about the reported occurrence because she is not the official spokesperson for the event, but she did say that CFIA confirmed that “on May 16th a beef cow in British Columbia had Bovine TB”. However, she insisted that any further communication would be managed by an official CFIA spokesperson on the subject.
However, later in the day MVS confirmed that the outbreak had occurred in Cherryville but it remains unconfirmed as to how large the risk is to local livestock, wildlife and human populations.
It is also unexplained as to why CIFA, after 30 days, have yet to go public with the case if this is in fact the confirmed May 16th reportable disease report.
Tuberculosis is a contagious disease caused by an infection in the lymph nodes which is then spread to other organs like the lungs. This disease affects practically all mammals, and before control measures were adopted, was one of the major diseases of man and domestic animals.
In Canada, tuberculosis is a reportable disease under the Health of Animals Regulations, and all cases must be reported to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. A previous outbreak of Bovine TB occurred in BC in 2007, but before that, Bovine TB had not been detected in any livestock in BC since 1990, when it was found in a herd of farmed deer. Previous to that event, Bovine TB in BC occurred in 1976.
In 2007, about 470 cattle in British Columbia and Alberta had to be destroyed after a random test showed a bull that had lived in both provinces had Bovine TB.
As many as 30 farms in the two provinces were quarantined. At the time according to the CFIA a bull was found with the disease at a slaughterhouse in Quebec and then the agency traced it back to a farm in Vanderhoof, BC. They then learned the bull was born in Alberta where it spent part of its life. The B.C. rancher had shipped about 400 head of cattle to Innisfail, Alta., and some animals had moved on to another 20 other farms in the province which caused a cascading impact of quarantines.
At this time the CFIA has not confirmed the details of this reported occurrence in Cherryville and MVS will continue to closely follow this story as it unfolds.
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October 17, 2013
Bullish on the real news in the Monashee
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Feature Report:
Bovine Tuberculosis discovered in Cherryville
