07/10/08 Possible dairy herd testing

Idaho Department of Agriculture officials are trying to locate and test dairy bulls imported from California where they may have been exposed to bovine tuberculosis. BARTON "We are tracing those animals to see if they are still alive." State veterinarian Dr Bill Barton says they have identified one dairy herd in the Magic Valley for testing which will start tomorrow. BARTON "And any animals that are exposed or have potentially exposed to those bulls." Barton says it's possible that tens of thousands of Idaho cows might have to be tested for the bovine TB or it could be very few. BARTON "We know we received 961 bulls over a five year period from what is now a known infected herd. What we don't know and California hasn't determined yet is when that herd become infected." Bovine tuberculosis is spread through the respiratory system by inhaling invisible droplets containing the bacteria which have been coughed or exhaled by an infected animal. Bovine TB does not pose a threat to the human food supply because the bacteria that cause the disease isn't found in the muscle meat and pasteurizing destroys any TB bacteria in raw milk or raw milk products. Today's Idaho Ag News Bill Scott