Brucellosis in Rigby

 Idaho Department of Agriculture state veterinarian, Dr. Bill Barton, recently sent a memo to state animal health officials, saying that two beef cows from a newly assembled herd tested positive for brucellosis.? No calves or bred females have been sold from the herd, according to Dr. Barton's memo. The herd has been quarantined and is being tested, and epidemiologists are trying to determine the source of the infection. Here’s Dr. Barton with an update: “We’ve completed the whole herd test and at this point we have two confirmed positives in this herd of cattle and one suspect fro which we’re doing more testing.”

 Dr. Barton said the owner, who lives in the Rigby area, was cooperating. None of his cattle had been sold, other than directly to slaughter. The infected animals in the herd, which came from a variety of sources, including private sales and livestock markets, had all been vaccinated for brucellosis.? The animals. Officials had not yet determined where the rancher purchased the infected animal.

 Of course, this raises grave concerns for all Idaho cattlemen regarding our status but Dr. Barton has good news on that front: “At this point because all 3 animals are in one herd, we are currently still a brucellosis free state.