The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has issued a quarantine order for 30 ranches in southeastern Alberta in the wake of a confirmed case of bovine tuberculosis.
A cow that had been shipped from a ranch near Jenner, AB, was slaughtered in the United States in September. Officials with the U.S. Department of Agriculture discovered that the animal had the disease and reported the incident to the CFIA.
Now, CFIA veternarians and inspectors are making contact with cattle producers to inform them of the proceedings that will include thorough inspections of herds.
Bob Lowe with the Alberta Beef Producers says that the quarantine puts an extra amount of stress on producers because they will have to pay to feed and house their animals since they cannot be sold.
Lowe said the issue won’t affect the Canadian cattle industry as a whole, but the quarantined producers could find it ‘devastating’.
If any infected cattle are found, the whole herd would need to be destroyed.
Under the order, all cattle must remain on the ranch unless they are to be moved directly to a slaughter facility.
Bovine TB has been subject to a national eradication program since 1923 and the country is considered to be free of the disease, but isolated cases may occur.
The disease does not pose a threat to public health, but people who have extended close contact with infected animals could contract the disease.
(With files from The Canadian Press)
