Bovine TB found in Alcona County herd Routine surveillance testing recently revealed bovine tuberculosis in a large beef herd in Alcona County. It is the 73rd cattle herd identified with bovine TB in Michigan since 1998. In Michigan’s modified accredited zone, which includes Alcona, Alpena, Montmorency and Oscoda counties, bovine TB, an infectious bacterial disease primarily affecting cattle, is endemic in the free-ranging white-tailed deer population.
Annual surveillance and movement testing are required of cattle producers to help catch the disease, early, and prevent it from being moved off farms.
“In the modified accredited zone, anything shared by deer and cattle can be a potential source of bovine tuberculosis infection,” Nancy Barr, assistant state veterinarian, said in a recent news release. “Preventing deer from having contact with cattle feed, feed storage or watering areas is crucial for farmers in this area of Michigan and a part of wildlife biosecurity programs being implemented.”
