WSDA demands TB testing for cattle

Move aimed at keeping state cattle disease-free

OLYMPIA — In an effort to keep Washington state free of cattle tuberculosis (TB), all dairy cows and bulls six months of age or older are now required to test negative for the disease within 60 days prior to entering the state.

The Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) put the restriction in effect Tuesday through an emergency order. The action is necessary, according to Dr. Leonard Eldridge, the state veterinarian, because of several cases of cattle tuberculosis that have occurred in the last two years in Arizona, California, New Mexico and Michigan. As a result, he said, at least three of those states have lost their TB-free status.

"Introduction of TB into Washington would have severe economic consequences," Eldridge said. "Because there is no effective treatment for TB in livestock, infected herds must either be destroyed under government supervision, or the herd is placed under quarantine and tested repeatedly, destroying any animals that test positive.

"Even after being released from quarantine, the herd must be tested every year for five years to make sure it remains disease-free. Often depopulating the whole herd is the only practical alternative," Eldridge said.

Ephrata farmer Bill Sieverkropp said he thought that testing cattle coming into the state is a good idea.

"(Testing) cattle coming into the state, especially from an area known to have tuberculosis, should be mandatory (to) try and keep Washington state tuberculosis-free," he said.

When asked what testing would do to his own operation, Sieverkropp said that it would another cost to it.

"You've got to run each one through, take a blood sample out of each one for the test," he explained. "That's all time and money that it takes to do that."

Sieverkropp said he did not think testing for tuberculosis would be necessary in Washington because it is free of the disease. Washington has not had a case of cattle tuberculosis since 1982.

Cattle TB is a contagious bacterial infection. Animals are contagious in the early stages of the disease. The disease is most commonly spread by inhalation among confined animals, such as in dairy operations. Since dairy animals are often long lived, infected animals can develop lesions in the lungs, lymph nodes and other organs. The disease is also contagious to humans.

"We support the department of agriculture's decision as a prudent precaution," said Jay Gordon, executive director of the Washington State Dairy Federation. "A disease of this nature would have serious consequences for our industry and would affect consumer confidence in our products."

Also under the new rule, dairy heifers and bull calves younger than six months of age being brought into Washington will have to be officially identified with an ear tag and will be restricted at a designated facility until they test negative for TB at six months. Younger calves may be exposed, but cannot be tested accurately until six months of age.

The only exception from the testing order will be dairy cattle from herds tested yearly under a TB-accreditation program, neutered dairy cattle being fed for slaughter, and dairy cattle headed directly to slaughter.

Matthew Weaver contributed to this report