Michigan TB

[jamshundred]

Dateline:  Rodgers City Mich.

Michigan has established two potential high-risk areas for bovine tuberculosis after two cases were confimred in free-ranging white-tailed deer in Presque Isle County.  Bovine TB is a bacterial disease tht can be fatal for cattle, deer , and other animals.

The state Department of Agriculture and Rural Development on Monday announced the areas after the Michigan Department of Natural Resources confirmed the cases.

This designation requires testing for cattle and bison herds within a 10-mile radius of a tuberculosis-positive deer within the next six months.  Tests will be required in parts of Presque Isle and Cheboygan counties.  Some recently tested herds won't need new tests

[lonecowhand]

Isn't this the same disease they try to eradicate badgers for in England? (and are failing...) you would think there would be a vaccine for this, as there is for humans.

[lakeportfarms]

Yes, it's been an ongoing problem in the N.E. part of the L.P. here. They thought they had it somewhat contained, and removed the deer baiting ban for hunters the past couple of years. I suspect it will be going into place again. I'm sure happy I don't live in that area. The Pusakevicz cows we brought here from Gaylord(the traditional ones that carry red) all had been tested for TB in the prior year, and the DNR was notified about their transport because Otsego County is adjoining the TB areas.

England and the badgers are having the same problems, but far worse. They protect the badgers there!

[lonecowhand]

Hans, I'm glad they do, I don't buy that badgers are the only host reservoirs. I believe that even if (when) they were to eradicate badgers to extinction, there would be other animal vectors show up. If it's rats, they'll never win. Vaccines will be the ticket, maybe when they tally the cost of badger eradication, vaccine research will look cheap.
What's the L.P.?

[lakeportfarms]

Sorry about that, I was thinking as I was typing it that not everybody knows our abbreviations L.P is Lower Peninsula, just like U.P is Upper.

I like Badgers too, and I agree there would be other vectors, but I would think there would be a way to help the situation without a wholesale eradication. The deer here that are found to be infected are removed from the population immediately.