OTTAWA, Ontario – While there are still only six confirmed cases of bovine tuberculosis (TB) in the Canadian provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has raised the number of properties under quarantine and movement controls to almost 50 as its investigation of the outbreak continues.
“Most of these premises are located in Alberta, with no more than five in Saskatchewan,” CFIA said in a statement. “These numbers will continue to change as the investigation continues.” So far, the total number of animals quarantined by this investigation is currently over 26,000.
All confirmed cases, including the cow that was slaughtered in the US, but confirmed to have had the disease when it left Canada, are still from one infected herd located on 18 different properties.
CFIA will conduct on-farm testing at all the farms that are currently under quarantine. Testing is expected to be complete by early January.
Ranchers who are losing cattle will be compensated for their animals, and only cattle that test negative for bovine TB will be available for human consumption, according to CFIA. The compensation teams from CFIA will continue to meet with any producers whose are losing cattle to assist them with the claims process.
“In all cases where bovine TB is suspected or confirmed, the goal is to minimize disruptions to producers, while respecting Canada’s domestic and international obligations to take appropriate and prudent control measures,” CFIA said in a statement. “These measures are critical for protecting the health of Canadian livestock and maintaining market access for Canadian beef producers.”
