Agriculture Department Conducts TB Sampling in Choapa Region
CHILE - As part of a national Bovine Tuberculosis (TB) monitoring programme the Agriculture and Livestock Service (ALS) of Choapa province are testing cattle to assess whether the disease is present in the region.
19 November 2012
1 minute read
For the fifth time this yeear, ALS Choapa veterinarians are conducting surveys to test whether herds have bovine tuberculosis.
Tuberculine tests were done on 350 animals in Canela of which 11 were reactive to the test. The diagnosis was confirmed 60 days later by a comparative cervical test. A further 72 hours is required for animals to react to the latest test,said Jaime Mizón Chief Veterinarian of ALC Choapa.
The ALC are requesting that animals testing positive must be moved to specified slaughterhouse to confirm the presence of the disease. Although there is no vaccine to combat bovine tuberculosis, Mr Mizón recommends that:
- Farmers only trade in livestock from known health status areas.
- Buy animals officially free of tuberculosis.
- Prevent contact between animals from different holdings especially in pens, corrals, pastures, etc...
- Learn about the status of neighboring properties.
Finally Mr Mizón suggested keeping fences in good condition, to prevent the entry of outside animals to farmland. This way, TB spread is minimised and livestock yield is optimised which all helps the agrarian economy compete with foreign livestock markets.
TheCattleSite News Desk
