Bovine TB case in Sask. could have painful consequences

Two cows from a Saskatchewan ranch have tested positive for bovine tuberculosis, according to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.

In February, the U.S. Department of Agriculture notified CFIA of a positive test for bovine TB in a tissue sample from a cow exported to an American feedlot from Saskatchewan in September 2022.

The herd of origin was tested in May, reactor animals slaughtered and two cases of bovine TB confirmed June 19.

The next steps could be painful for ranchers as CFIA officials begin to identify the origin of the infected cows and any contacts they may have had with other herds. Based on past circumstances, these measures have resulted in large-scale culling to stamp out the disease.

“The standard epidemiological approach will apply,” said Dr. Jamie Rothenburger, assistant professor at the University of Calgary’s faculty of veterinary medicine.