The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has confirmed five more cattle from southeastern Alberta have been infected with the bacteria that causes bovine tuberculosis. Ag Canada reports the five animals were discovered during the removal and destruction of the initial cow’s index herd. The source of infection is still unknown. The investigation follows a notice from the U.S. Department of Agriculture that a cow from Alberta had tested positive for the disease at a U.S. packing plant. While the index herd is the only herd so far to turn up infected cows, quarantines remain in place on approximately 34 farms in Alberta and two in southwestern Saskatchewan. All cattle from the index herd are in the process of being removed from the ranch and humanely destroyed.
From the National Association of Farm Broadcasting news service.