The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has announced it’s investigating a case of bovine tuberculosis (bovine TB) in the southern interior of British Columbia.
Dr. Debbie Barr, director of animal health, welfare & biosecurity division CFIA, says the mature cow was sent to a slaughter house on Oct. 26, 2018. Post mortem examination showed signs of bovine TB in the lymph nodes, lungs and liver.
No portions of the animal entered the food chain and there’s no risk to human health.
Two days after the cow arrived at the slaughter house tissue samples were sent to the CFIA labs for confirmation of the initial suspicion. The results came back November 9th and did in fact confirm a positive match for the bacterial disease.
Although Canada is considered bovine TB free, Barr says small isolated cases can occur without affecting Canada’s status.
“This finding should not effect Canada’s international status in which all provinces are considered bovine TB free. This status supports international trade for Canada’s beef industry,” Barr says.
The CFIA is in the early stages of the investigation and they will continue to do more in-depth tracing of the movement of the cow. They will also look into the infected herd to make sure the disease is contained.
