The Department of Agriculture and Food has found the disease in cattle moved from the infected beef herd to another property in the Albany area and a third in the South-West.

In total, 22 herds that received cattle from the infected property were tested.

Department animal biosecurity director Ashley Mercy said the disease had been found only in cattle moved from the infected Albany herd and there was no evidence of spreading within the trace herds.

Further tests were being conducted but results would not be known for three months.

“The owners and the department have taken immediate action to remove the infected animals and any other susceptible cattle that had run with them,” Dr Mercy said.

“This will minimise any risk of the disease spreading.”

Dr Mercy said compensation arrangements were in place under the Cattle Industry Compensation Act to cover animals sent to slaughter.

Bovine Johne’s Disease is an incurable infection of the intestines that causes diarrhoea and wasting in adult cattle.

Source: The West Australian