Regular TB testing essential for health

Infected possums are the source of about 70 per cent of affected herds in New Zealand.

New Zealand has a world-leading bovine tuberculosis (TB) control programme that is essential to protecting our high quality dairy, beef and deer industries.

The TB Free New Zealand programme is managed by the recently established not-for-profit organisation, Operational Solutions for Primary Industries New Zealand (OSPRI). The programme's main objective remains the eradication of the disease from wild animals as well as farmed cattle and deer.

As of July 15, all six of the Taranaki region's bovine (TB) infected herds showed no trace of the disease after the latest round of testing. TBfree Taranaki committee chairman Donald McIntyre said the test results are the first step towards ridding the herds of TB. They also came as a relief to the affected herd owners.

"Having an infected herd is extremely stressful for the affected farmer. The co-operation and support of the Taranaki farming community in helping the TB control programme stay on top of the herd infections has been greatly appreciated," said Mr McIntyre.

Once an animal is diagnosed with TB, the entire herd is required to pass two whole herd tests and a follow-up blood test before it can be declared free of infection, meaning that confirming the herds are no longer infected can be a long process, depending on the results of the tests.

Craig Hassell, veterinarian and TB Free Taranaki member, urges livestock farmers to never stop testing for TB, to test all incoming animals and to inform TB-free New Zealand if they are moving farms.

"From what we can establish our infected herds in Taranaki were not exposed through surrounding wildlife, TB is being brought into our region."

In a plan to also protect people, TB Free NZ is investigating free blood testing for those who could have consumed raw milk from a herd of infected cattle. Although rare, TB can infect humans if they drink raw milk from a cow with TB lesions.

The move is part of a range of initiatives investigated by the organisation as it looks to improve its management of bovine TB outbreaks.

Farmers need to ensure they are aware of the TB status of any stock coming onto their property by calling TBfree New Zealand on 0800 482-4636.