The Indiana State Board of Animal Health (BOAH) has identified a second beef cattle herd in Franklin County, Indiana positive for bovine tuberculosis (C on the map below). The animals have been placed under quarantine pending disposition. The newly identified positive herd is within the existing 10-mile surveillance zone. No new herds need to be tested as a result of this finding; all neighboring herds within 3 miles have already tested negative.
Under a federal order issued in 2010, Indiana will not lose its TB-free status, although BOAH must submit its TB plan to USDA by mid-February.
The first TB-positive herd (a herd of beef cattle housed on two sites, A and B on the map) was identified in April. A TB positive white-tailed deer was also found on the index farm.
As of Dec. 23, 2016, 335 herds totaling 5,067 head of cattle in the surveillance zone have been tested. To meet the year-end goal, 35 more herds need to be tested. Although cattle testing is winding down, wild deer surveillance will continue per a plan developed by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources.
Thank you, producers and veterinarians for your continued support and cooperation.
“We have received excellent cooperation and support from cattle producers, veterinarians, local officials and hunters,” said State Veterinarian Dr. Bret D. Marsh. “BOAH’s primary goal is to find infection wherever it may exist so it can be eliminated. Testing in the 10-mile circle plus the Whitewater River corridor is working well, and so far only one additional herd has been found positive.”
As surveillance testing progresses, BOAH continues to identify more test-eligible cattle premises in the area. If you know of a cattle premises in the surveillance testing zone that has not been tested contact Jean Doerflein at 317-544-2387 or JDoerflein@boah.IN.gov.