Bovine TB in Roseau Co

[Cooter]

Just got an email from a buddy in MN, I don't know where Roseau Co is, but they tested one deer positive for BTB there. Got a MS Word file with more info if anyone is interested. Doesn't sound good. Anyone else heard this yet?

[lcornice]

Roseau County is in the very northwestern part of the state. The DNR news release can be found here:

DNR bovine TB release

It likely doesn't mean too much for deer hunters. The bigger issue is with cattle producers. Once the disease goes from cattle to deer, it becomes more difficult to control.

[JEV]

I'm pretty familiar with the case. My wife works for the local vet and they've been pretty involved with the TB testing. It was really only a matter of time. From what I was told, when the cattle were out being fed there would be scores of deer feeding right with the cattle. They've been eating the same food and drinking from the same water source. The deer that was found infected was reportedly shot within a mile and a half of the original infected herd. It will certainly be interesting to see what the DNR does with the situation...

JEV

[lcornice]

I'm pretty familiar with the case as well and you're exactly right. The strain of bovine TB found in 5 cattle herds is believed to have originated in Mexico. Apparently, USDA finds a few cases every year throughout the US. It is likely (probably) a spillover from cows to deer. Infection of deer occurs when deer feed with infected cattle.