ANTHRAX, BOVINE - CANADA: (SASKATCHEWAN), Also in the Soil & Blowing in the Wind, "All-Over" Canadian Prairies

****************************************
A ProMED-mail post

ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases


Date: 29 Jun 2009
Source: CountryGuide (Eastern Edition) [edited]



One animal in one cattle herd on one western Saskatchewan farm is the lone
confirmed case of anthrax poisoning so far this spring and summer [2009] in
western Canada's livestock herds. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency said
Friday [26 Jun 2009] that this case was reported 3 Jun 2009 on a farm in
the RM of King George, in the Rosetown/Outlook area.

The spores that cause anthrax poisoning are known to exist in soil across
the Canadian Prairies, and findings of anthrax are "common", CFIA said.

Despite the low incidence so far this grazing season, CFIA still advised
producers to consult with their veterinarians about making anthrax
vaccinations part of a regular herd-health maintenance program should they
reside in a known anthrax-infected area.

--
communicated by:
ProMED-mail rapporteur Susan Baekeland

[It is still early days, so there will be more outbreaks in Saskatchewan
before the summer is over. However, the Canadians have been working very
hard to persuade their ranchers in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba to
get their cattle vaccinated. Because of the recent epidemics across the
prairies, there are many contaminated sites scattered here and there just
waiting to be found by a susceptible grazing cow.

To view Saskatchewan, go to
.
Rosetown/Outlook is southwest of Saskatoon - Mod.MHJ]

[see also:
2008
---
Anthrax, bovine - Canada (05): (SK) 20080829.2710
Anthrax, bovine - Canada (04): (SK) bison 20080826.2670
Anthrax, bovine - Canada (03): (SK) 20080812.2500
Anthrax, bovine - Canada (02): (SK) bison 20080727.2297
Anthrax, bovine - Canada: (SK) 20080726.2286
2007
---
Anthrax, bovine - Canada (SK) (03) 20070614.1946
Anthrax, bovine - Canada (SK)(02) 20070401.1111
Anthrax, bovine - Canada (SK): susp., RFI 20070330.1098
Anthrax, bovine - Canada (SK) 20070219.0625
2006
---
Anthrax - Canada (SK, MB)(12) 20060924.2728
Anthrax - Canada (SK,MB) (11) 20060916.2635
Anthrax - Canada (SK, MB)(10) 20060912.2581
Anthrax - Canada (SK,MB) (09) 20060901.2491
Anthrax - Canada (SK,MB)(08) 20060826.2421
Anthrax - Canada (SK, MB) (07) 20060816.2293
Anthrax - Canada (SK,MB) (06) 20060811.2257
Anthrax - Canada (SK,MB) (05) 20060808.2228
Anthrax - Canada (SK,MB) (04) 20060806.2195
Anthrax - Canada (SK,MB) (03) 20060802.2141
Anthrax - Canada (SK, MB)(02) 20060730.2107
Anthrax - Canada (SK, MB) 20060726.2059
Anthrax, bovine - Canada (SK)(09) 20060720.1993
Anthrax, bovine - Canada (SK)(08) 20060718.1974
Anthrax, human, bovine - Canada (SK) 20060716.1957
Anthrax, bovine - Canada (SK)(06) 20060712.1924
Anthrax, bovine - Canada (SK)(05) 20060711.1910
Anthrax, bovine - Canada (SK)(04) 20060710.1890
Anthrax, bovine - Canada (SK)(03) 20060709.1884
Anthrax, bovine - Canada (SK)(02) 20060706.1858
Anthrax, bovine - Canada (SK) 20060705.1847
2004
---
Anthrax, bovine - Canada (SK) (02) 20040131.0366
Anthrax, bovine - Canada (SK) 20040129.0343]

...............mhj/msp/sh


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Swift Expands Beef Recall

E. COLI O157 - USA (03): BEEF, RECALL
*************************************
A ProMED-mail post

ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases


Date: Sun 28 Jun 2009
Source: Yahoo News, Reuters report [edited]



A Colorado meat company is expanding a recall of beef due to possible
contamination by _E. coli_ O157:H7 bacteria after an investigation found 18
illnesses may be linked to the meat, the company and the US Agriculture
Department said on Sunday [28 Jun 2009].

Greeley, Colorado-based JBS-Swift Beef Co is voluntarily expanding its 24
Jun 2009 recall to include about 380 000 lbs (172.3 tonnes) of assorted
beef products, for a total recall of about 421 000 lbs [191 tonnes], USDA
and the company said. The affected beef was produced on 21 Apr 2009 and was
distributed nationally and internationally. "The contamination may have
come from further processing by other companies," Chandler Keys, JBS
spokesman, said on Sunday [28 Jun 2009].

USDA said the recalled products are typically used for steaks and roasts
rather than ground beef. However, it said some of the beef may have been
processed into ground products by other companies. It is unlikely the
recall will be expanded further, and JBS will be contacting customers that
received the beef to learn how the product was distributed, said Keys.

The contamination was investigated by USDA's Food Safety and Inspection
Service in cooperation with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

--
communicated by:
Sara M Volk, PhD
Department of Pathology
Center for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases
University of Texas Medical Branch
Galveston, Texas, USA


[A key issue in the recall is that it is not primarily related to ground
beef but rather steaks and roasts, some of which might be processed into
ground beef. In most situations, surface contamination with the pathogen is
not an issue since the piece of meat is cooked at least on the outside.
However, as noted in a past ProMED-mail posting (E. coli O157, frozen
steaks - USA (Midwest): recall 20030701.1617), the bacteria associated with
the steak are usually external, meaning that the pathogen would be killed
by heat, which might not inactivate internal bacteria. In that posting, the
meat had been injected with tenderizers so that the _E. coli_ could be
inoculated internally. This technique to fool Mother Nature once again may
produce more collective harm than individual good. The mechanism of
contamination of steaks in a more recent ProMED posting (E. coli O157,
steak - USA (PA): recall 20070426.1362) was not stated.

ProMED-mail thanks Dr Volk for this posting and awaits more information
regarding the form of meat associated with the outbreak strain. - Mod.LL

The state of Colorado can be located on the HealthMap/ProMED-mail
interactive map at . - Sr.Tech.Ed.MJ]

[see also:
E. coli O157 - USA (02): refrigerated cookie dough 20090623.2291
E. coli O157 - USA: refrigerated cookie dough 20090619.2259
2008
---
E. coli O157 - USA (09): (WA), susp. 20081021.3336
E. coli O157 - USA (08): (CA), cooked beef 20081007.3181
E. coli O157, university students - USA (06): California lettuce 20081015.3266
E. coli O157, university students - USA: (MI) 20080922.2987
E. coli O157 - USA (07): (MA) alert 20080811.2475
E. coli O157 - USA: (OH, MI), unknown source 20080624.1947
E. coli O157, lettuce - USA: (WA) 20080606.1807
E. coli O157, restaurant - USA: (HI) 20080228.0811
2007
---
E. coli O157, ground beef - USA (multistate) (09) 20071126.3823
E. coli O157, ground beef - USA (multistate) (08): Canada 20071029.3511
E. coli O157, ground beef - USA (multistate) (04): 2nd manufacturer
20071007.3304
E. coli O157, ground beef - USA (multistate) (03): CDC report 20071003.3272
E. coli O157, ground beef - USA (multistate): alert, recall 20070927.3201
E. coli O157, ground beef - USA (NY): alert, recall 20070926.3190
E. coli O157, ground beef - USA (WA, OR): alert 20070830.2855
E. coli O157, ground beef - USA (NY) 20070725.2387
E. coli VTEC, prisoners - USA (CO) (02) 20070714.2263
E. coli VTEC, prisoners - USA (CO): RFI 20070712.2236
E. coli O157, ground beef - USA (west) (03): expanded recall 20070611.1902
E. coli O157, ground beef - USA (west): recall 20070606.1831
E. coli O157, ground beef - USA (multistate): recall 20070514.1532
E. coli O157, steak - USA (PA): recall 20070426.1362
E. coli O157, restaurant - USA (CA) (03) 20070410.1204
E. coli O157, restaurant - USA (CA) 20070403.1131
E. coli O157, spinach - USA (multistate): 2006, FDA report 20070326.1051
E. coli O157, bagged salad greens - USA (multistate) 20070121.0288
E. coli O157, lettuce - USA (multistate): 2006 20070112.0158
2006
---
E. coli O157, fast food - USA (multistate) (05): lettuce 20061214.3516
E. coli O157, fast food - USA (IA, MN): lettuce 20061214.3515
E. coli O157, fast food - USA (multistate): green onions 20061206.3441
E. coli O157 - USA (NJ, NY) 20061205.3425
E. coli O157 - USA (NJ) 20061203.3415
E. coli O157, spinach - USA (multistate) (20) 20061027.3067
E. coli O157, spinach - USA (multistate): alert 20060915.2608
E. coli O157 - USA (multistate): unknown source 20060410.1068
E. coli O157, unpasteurized milk - USA (OR, WA) (04) 20060121.0199]

.................ll/mj/sh


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Q Fever Update: Ill Winds Blowing from Livestock Farms as Airborne Disease Spreads / Predicted to Get Worse

Q FEVER - NETHERLANDS (05)
**************************
A ProMED-mail post

ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases


Date: Sat 27 Jun 2009
From: Jim van Steenbergen


[ProMED-mail thanks Dr Jim van Steenbergen for the following commentary
regarding this outbreak in humans and goats in the Netherlands and why
Belgium and Germany have not been likewise affected. - Mod.LL]

There is Q fever in Belgium and Germany, but just as modest as we in the
Netherlands used to have, with occasional milder outbreaks. The difference
is the way we keep our goats with herds of 5000 in open stables, concrete
floor, where the farmer adds a little straw every day and removes
everything (including previously deposited placentas) 2 or 3 times a year.
The open stables assist the wind in blowing _Coxiella_ into the outside
environment. In a herd of 5000 you can easily miss a few abortions. The
typical abortion storm is regularly seen (10-20 per cent of pregnancies
ending in abortion), and reported. But we miss hundreds of abortions that
occur in less than 5 per cent of pregnancies (reportable if abortion rate
is over 5 per cent). In a herd of 5000 no obligation to report 1 to 259
abortions.

The vaccination started in 2008 with, at that time, all available vaccine
(40 000 doses). In 2009, there is still a shortage but now over 190 000
doses have been bought and are being administered now by the public health
vets. This is still not enough for the 350 000 goats in the country.
Amazingly enough, the 1.1 million sheep are not (as yet) suffering any
abortions (and no problems at all are seen in cattle).

The area is covered by a thin layer of _Coxiella_ built up in 3 years,
which will undoubtedly infect humans again next year [2009] under certain
weather conditions. We'll see large numbers of human cases next year, even
if the abortion rate were lowered substantially.
--
Jim van Steenbergen
Coordinator, Communicable Disease Control
Netherlands National Institute for Public Health and the Environment
Dutch: Rijksinstituut voor Volksgezondheid en Milieu (RIVM)
Bilthoven, Netherlands


[see also:
Q fever - Netherlands (04): fatalities 20090626.2330
Q Fever - Netherlands (03): update, animal vaccination 20090510.1744
Q Fever - Netherlands (02): (NB) 20090508.1721
Q fever, caprine - Netherlands: (LI) 20090331.1230
Q fever - Netherlands: sheep & goat vaccination 20090228.0841
2008
---
Q fever - Netherlands (04): sheep & goat vaccination 20081023.3352
Q fever - Netherlands (03): (NBR, GEL) 20080802.2367
Q fever - Netherlands (02): (NBR) 20080728.2306
Q fever - Netherlands: (NBR) 20080725.2267
2007
---
Q fever - Netherlands (Noord-Brabant, Gelderland) 20070809.2592]

.................jw/ll/mj/sh


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BOVINE TUBERCULOSIS - USA (08): (INDIANA) CERVID, BOVINE

*******************************************************
A ProMED-mail post

ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases


Date: Fri 26 Jun 2009
Source: CattleNetwork, Indiana State Board of Animal Health (BOAH)
press release [edited]



Tuberculosis identified on 2nd Indiana cervid farm
--------------------------------------------------
An animal on a 2nd Indiana cervid farm has tested positive for bovine
tuberculosis (commonly called "TB," or more formally known as
_Mycobacterium bovis_). The mature female elk [also known as cow elk -
Mod.TG] was identified through testing by the Indiana State Board of
Animal Health (BOAH) after it was traced from the cervid operation
that tested positive for the disease in May. "Cervid" is a category of
animals that includes elk and various species of deer.

The latest herd, a multi-species operation in Wayne County , is
currently under quarantine until further testing can be completed.

The Board of Animal Health (BOAH) veterinarians continue to notify
owners of animals traced to or from the 1st (index) cervid herd
located in northern Franklin County. Today's [26 Jun 2009]
announcement marks the 1st animal to test positive on another site.
Several other herds are currently under quarantine with test results
pending.

"The slow-growing nature of tuberculosis makes confirmatory testing a
slow process," explains Indiana State Veterinarian Bret D Marsh. "As
we identify more trace herds, almost daily, we recognize that this is
going to be a drawn-out process that will take time. We appreciate the
cooperation we've received so far from the herd owners."

Meanwhile, BOAH is collaborating with the Indiana Department of
Natural Resources and the US Department of Agriculture-Wildlife
Services to test wildlife in the immediate area around the index farm.
BOAH staff is teaming with USDA-Veterinary Services to develop plans
to do radius testing of cattle in the region.

Dr Marsh explains the focus on Franklin County: "Since December
[2008], when a TB-positive cow [bovine] was traced to a local farm,
BOAH has been working to identify the source of the disease. While
that beef farm is in close proximity to our index cervid herd, no
physical link has been established. So, we are going to take a close
look at the wildlife in the area."

"After testing of all the livestock operations adjacent to the beef
farm, with no positives, we need to extend that circle to ensure that
TB has not spread any farther in the livestock in the community," Dr
Marsh adds. [Certainly, that circle would include the trace-ins and
trace-outs of the bovine herd. - Mod.TG]

Indiana's TB-free status for cattle has not changed with this latest
discovery; nor has BOAH been notified of any interstate movement
restrictions being placed on Indiana cattle. The state has held a
bovine tuberculosis-free status since 1984 with the USDA. Under
federal guidelines, a TB-positive cervid does not affect the status
for cattle producers. Before the December 2008 case, the last time a
Hoosier herd tested positive for the disease was in the 1970s.
[However, another bovine animal being found TB positive in Indiana
would likely cost the state its coveted free-state status. - Mod.TG]

"Closing out this case is not going to be a fast process," says Dr
Marsh. "I want Hoosier producers to know that BOAH is committed to
protecting animal health in this state, based on the best science we
have. We have work happening on several fronts -- from wildlife
surveillance to ongoing traces of animal movements to follow up
testing. As we move into the next few weeks, our staff will begin
contacting local cattle owners whose herds need to be tested."

Bovine tuberculosis is a chronic bacterial disease that affects
primarily cattle, but can be transmitted to any warm-blooded animal.
TB is difficult to diagnose through clinical signs alone. In the early
stages of the disease, clinical signs are not visible. Later, signs
may include: emaciation, lethargy, weakness, anorexia, low-grade
fever, and pneumonia with a chronic, moist cough. Lymph node
enlargement may also be present. Cattle owners who notice these signs
in their livestock should contact their private veterinarian.

Contact: Denise Derrer, Public Information Director or
Doug Metcalf, Chief of Staff

More information about the disease and the investigation, as it
develops, will be available on the BOAH website at
.

--
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail Rapporteur Susan Baekeland
and Indiana deer owners

[The state of Indiana can be located on the HealthMap/ProMED-mail
interactive map of the US at

Wayne and Franklin counties in eastern Indiana can be seen on the map at
http://www.mapsofworld.com/usa/states/indiana/indiana-county-map.html>. -
Sr.Tech.Ed.MJ]

[see also:
Bovine tuberculosis - USA (07): (MN) cervid 20090625.2307
Bovine tuberculosis - USA (06): (NE) (02) 20090620.2270
Bovine tuberculosis - USA (05): (NE) 20090613.2198
Bovine tuberculosis - USA (04): (TX) conf. 20090613.2195
Bovine tuberculosis - USA (03): (NE) cattle, elk 20090603.2060
Bovine tuberculosis - USA (02): (ND) 20090514.1811
Bovine tuberculosis - USA: (TX), susp 20090423.1536]
........................................tg/mj/jw
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ProMED-mail makes every effort to verify the reports that
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using information posted or archived by ProMED-mail. ISID
and its associated service providers shall not be held
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or archived material.
************************************************************
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************************************************************
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Q FEVER - NETHERLANDS (04): FATALITIES

Q FEVER - NETHERLANDS (04): FATALITIES
**************************************
A ProMED-mail post

ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases


[1]
Date: Thu 25 Jun 2009
Source: Dutch News [edited]



At least 2 people have died suffering from the flu-like Q fever in the
Den Bosch area, microbiologist Peter Wever told news agency ANP on
Thursday [25 Jun 2009].

Both had been admitted to hospital after the diagnosis, but they may
have died of complications or other factors, Wever, from the Jeroen
Bosch hospital in Den Bosch, told ANP. Given that between 1 and 2
percent of people admitted to hospital with the disease die, more
deaths should be expected, he said. Some 600 people have been
hospitalized with Q fever, ANP said, without giving a time frame.

Q fever was rarely known among humans in the Netherlands until 2007,
when 168 cases were reported. In 2008, there were more than 1000
cases. The disease is spread by livestock, which shed the bacteria in
urine, feces, birth products, and milk. Q fever, which leads to
spontaneous abortion in sheep and goats, causes flu-like symptoms in
humans but can lead to lung infections.

--
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail Rapporteur Brent Barrett

******
[2]
Date: Fri 26 Jun 2009
Source: Expatica [edited]



So far in 2009, 3 people in the Netherlands have died after
contracting so-called Q fever, according to the national institute for
public health and the environment.

Roel Coutinho, director of the institute, said one patient died in
2008 and then 3 in 2009. All of the patients were suffering from
additional serious medical conditions.

Some 1429 infected patients have been reported by general
practitioners since the beginning of 2009. To limit the spread of the
disease, 130 000 goats in the provinces of [North]-Brabant, Limburg,
and Gelderland will be vaccinated.

--
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail


[The pathogenic organism of Q fever, often acquired by close exposure
to animals, is infectious with a very low inoculum and may be
aerosolized over a distance. It is not clear what contact the infected
people had with animals or how close they were to farms.

_Coxiella burnetii_, the causative agent, was discovered in 1937. This
organism is an agent that can be resistant to heat and desiccation,
and is highly infectious by the aerosol route. A single inhaled
organism may produce clinical illness. Indeed, in [non-human]
primates, the dose to kill 50 percent of the primates was found to be
1.7 organisms (1).

The organisms can be resistant to heat, drying, and many common
disinfectants. These features enable the bacteria to survive for long
periods in the environment. This very stable form of _C. burnetii_ is
associated with compact small cell variants of the organism that are
produced during standard replication along with the less resistant
large cell form, metabolically dormant, and spore-like (2).

Infection of humans usually occurs by inhalation of these organisms
from air that contains airborne barnyard dust contaminated by dried
placental material, birth fluids, and excreta of infected herd
animals. Humans are often very susceptible to the disease, and very
few organisms may be required to cause infection.

Ingestion of contaminated milk, followed by regurgitation and
inspiration of the contaminated food, is a less common mode of
transmission. Other modes of transmission to humans, including tick
bites and human-to-human transmission, are rare.

References
----------
1. Lille RD, Perrin TL, Armstrong C: An institutional outbreak of
pneumonitis. III. Histopathology in man and rhesus monkeys in the
pneumonitis due to the virus of "Q fever." Pub Hlth Rep 1941; 56:
1419-25.
2. Norlander L: Q fever epidemiology and pathogenesis. Microbes Infect
2000; 2: 417-24 [abstract available at
.

The HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map of the Netherlands is available at
. - Mod.LL]

[see also:
Q Fever - Netherlands (03): update, animal vaccination 20090510.1744
Q Fever - Netherlands (02): (NB) 20090508.1721
Q fever, caprine - Netherlands: (LI) 20090331.1230
Q fever - Netherlands: sheep & goat vaccination 20090228.0841
2008
----
Q fever - Netherlands (04): sheep & goat vaccination 20081023.3352
Q fever - Netherlands (03): (NBR, GEL) 20080802.2367
Q fever - Netherlands (02): (NBR) 20080728.2306
Q fever - Netherlands: (NBR) 20080725.2267
2007
----
Q fever - Netherlands (Noord-Brabant, Gelderland) 20070809.2592]
........................................ll/mj/jw
*##########################################################*
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ProMED-mail makes every effort to verify the reports that
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using information posted or archived by ProMED-mail. ISID
and its associated service providers shall not be held
responsible for errors or omissions or held liable for any
damages incurred as a result of use or reliance upon posted
or archived material.
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JBS Swift recalls 41,000 pounds of beef

Possible E. coli contamination

Associated Press
Last updated: 2:35 p.m., Thursday, June 25, 2009

GREELEY, Colo. -- JBS Swift Beef Co. of Greeley has recalled about 41,000 of its beef products because of possible E. coli contamination.


JBS Swift spokesman Chandler Keys said Thursday the recall is voluntary and no illnesses have been reported.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture says the products were produced on April 21-22 and were shipped to distributors and retailers in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah and Wisconsin.

All the recalled beef is in boxes bearing "EST. 969" and packaging date codes of 042109 or 042209. They have case codes of 21852, 21853, 31852, 31853, 33852, 33853, 41853, 41853, 79852, 79853 or 90853.

------

Consumers with questions about the recall may contact the JBS Swift's consumer hot line at (800) 555-7675.



http://www.timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=813920

Minnesota Deer found with Bovine TB

BOVINE TUBERCULOSIS, CERVIDS - USA: (MINNESOTA)
**************************************************
A ProMED-mail post

ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases


Date: Tue 23 Jun 2009
Source: Bemidji Pioneer [edited]



The discovery of a whitetail deer with bovine tuberculosis [TB] in
northwest Beltrami County doesn't concern state agriculture
officials. "It was kind of expected, and is the reason why we need to
continue monitoring to be sure there's not something out there,"
Robin Kinney, Minnesota assistant agriculture commissioner, said in a
recent interview.

The TB-positive deer was a 6-year-old male, and showed clinical signs
of bovine TB, which later was confirmed by laboratory analysis. No
other deer removed this winter [2008-09] showed similar signs of
infection. "We fully expected that the deer population was carrying
some of this, so to find one is a good sign," Kinney said.

The older deer makes state officials believe that bovine TB among
deer may be confined to a certain age class, since the infected deer
found since testing began in 2005 have been born in 2005 or earlier.

"It was an older deer that was found," Kinney said. "That's great,
and it means that we need to continue that diligence to seek it out.
I don't expect we're going to have any problems, but that's why we're
staying on high alert on it."

Last year [208], the US Department of Agriculture allowed Minnesota a
split-state status, meaning that outside a bovine TB management area
in northwest Beltrami County and Roseau County, the state remains TB-free.

Cattle sold within the bovine TB management area must undergo strict
testing regimes before being sold or transported across state lines.

Cattle are believed to contract bovine TB from infected free-ranging
deer, so the DNR [Department of Natural Resources] has been working
with USDA sharpshooters during the winter to cull the deer herd in that area.

The DNR has also conducted surveillance for TB in hunter-harvested
deer within a 15-mile [24 km] radius of the once-infected farms every
fall since 2005. To date, more than 6000 deer taken by hunters and
sharp-shooters have been tested.

"The older ages of infected deer, the lack of infection in younger
deer, and the close proximity of infected deer suggest the disease is
not efficiently spreading in the deer population," Michelle
Carstensen, DNR wildlife health program coordinator, said last month
[May 2009].

DNR sampled 1246 deer taken in the bovine TB surveillance zone during
the fall 2008 hunt. Spring sharp-shooting efforts, that began in
March and concluded 30 Apr [2009], have resulted in an additional 738
deer being removed near previously infected cattle operations inside
the management zone.

DNR will continue monitoring for the disease through sampling of
hunter-harvested deer, Carstensen said. Hunter-harvested surveillance
will be conducted within the larger bovine TB surveillance zone in
fall 2009, with a sampling goal of 1800 deer. Surveillance will
continue every year until no positive animals are detected for 5
consecutive years, she said.

The 2008 Legislature, led by Sen. Rod Skoe, DFL-Clearbrook, put in
place the bovine TB management zone and provided buyouts of herds
that may be infected and ordered fencing around remaining herds to
keep out deer.

The Agriculture Department's bovine TB czar is Joe Martin, appointed
by Gov. Tim Pawlenty. "He's done just a great job shepherding this
through and being sure that producers are being taken care of," said
Kinney. "Funding-wise, we've had a great partnership, especially with
the legislative folks up here. They understand the issue, they've
been working very closely hand-in-hand with Joe and the DNR to be
sure we've got that balance."

"This should not delay Minnesota's goal of regaining TB-Free Status,"
Martin said last month [May 2009] of the new deer discovery. "We have
been in contact with USDA and they have assured us this finding in
the deer will not impact cattle movements or the state's TB status."

The state's status is only impacted by finding additional TB-positive
cattle herds. The last known infected herd was depopulated earlier
this year [2009] as part of the state's buyout program. There are no
other active cattle investigations ongoing at this time, Martin said.

The buyout of herds is complete, Kinney said. "Money-wise this coming
year it's going to be continuing to provide some education and
management opportunities for as long as these folks are going to need
to be out, be sure that we're monitoring that deer population so that
we can get the status back as quickly as we can."

The issue continues to be a priority of the Minnesota Farm Bureau
Federation, which lobbied last year [2008] for the special management
zone and funding for cattle buyouts. "Bovine TB is still a priority
for us in Farm Bureau," Minnesota Farm Bureau President Kevin Paap
said in a recent interview. "We need to do everything and anything we
can to eradicate that, both in the cattle and the deer herds. So
we'll watch that very closely."

Minnesota state agencies and USDA have entered into a productive
partnership in an effort to eradicate bovine TB, Kinney said. "We
have a very good partnership, and I have say that's to the fact that
Commissioner (Gene) Hugoson has served so long in a leadership role,"
she said. "That consistency has been extremely important, not only
for Minnesota but for APHIS and the other divisions. He is recognized
nationally as a leader and has great insight." USDA's Animal and
Public Health Information System establishes threat levels for animal
diseases, and determines levels of bovine TB classifications.

Kinney also credited US House Agriculture Chairman Collin Peterson,
DFL-7th District, in whose district the bovine TB management zone
lies. "He just does a tremendous job as an advocate for agriculture,
and his role as chairman of the House Ag Committee certainly helped
Minnesota come forward," Kinney said. "We've got great dialogue with him."

[Byline: Brad Swenson]

--
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail Rapporteur Susan Baekeland

[Minnesota has had a long battle with tuberculosis, both in bovines
and in cervids. They have made gallant strides in getting this
disease under control. Their surveillance here is a minor triumph in
being able to predict what the age of expected animals with the
disease. - Mod.TG]

[The Midwestern state of Minnesota can be located on the
HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map at
.
Beltrami County can be seen on the map at
. - Sr.Tech.Ed.MJ

[see also:
Bovine tuberculosis - USA (06) (NE) (02) 20090620.2270
Bovine tuberculosis - USA (05): (NE) 20090613.2198
Bovine tuberculosis - USA (04): (TX) conf. 20090613.2195
Bovine tuberculosis - USA (03): (NE) cattle, elk 20090603.2060
Bovine tuberculosis - USA (02): (ND) 20090514.1811
Bovine tuberculosis - UK (03): increased incidence 20090514.1809
Bovine tuberculosis - USA: (TX), susp 20090423.1536
2008
----
Tuberculosis, bovine - USA (08): (MN) 20081207.3839
Tuberculosis, bovine - USA (04): (MN) status downgrade 20080408.1296
Tuberculosis, bovine - USA (03): (MN) 20080222.0718
Tuberculosis, bovine - USA (02): (MN) 20080205.0472
Tuberculosis, bovine - USA: (MN) 20080123.0285
2007
----
Tuberculosis, bovine - USA: (MN) 20071029.3509
2006
----
Tuberculosis, bovine, cervids - USA (MN) (03)20061101.3131
Tuberculosis, bovine, cervid - USA (MN) (02) 20060131.0310
Tuberculosis, bovine, cervid - USA (MN) 20060123.0225
2005
----
Tuberculosis, bovine - USA (MN)(02) 20051211.3564
Tuberculosis, bovine - USA (MN)with comment 20050716.2034
Tuberculosis, bovine - USA (MN)20050716.2030]
...................................tg/mj/dk