The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is investigating a case of bovine tuberculosis in a six-year old cow from Saskatchewan that was slaughtered at a federally-inspected facility in Alberta.
The case was confirmed on Nov. 29, 2024 at the CFIA’s Ottawa Laboratory (Fallowfield).
Through the Canadian Livestock Traceability System, the agency says it identified a herd in Saskatchewan as the birth herd/herd of origin of the animal. This herd has been placed under quarantine until testing can be completed.
“The CFIA is in the very early stages of its investigation. This involves identifying all herds that came in contact with the infected animal during its life. The CFIA has also begun laboratory testing to identify the strain of the bacterium as this may inform if there are connections to previous cases. This process can take up to 12 weeks to complete,” the agency says, in a Dec. 17 update.
The CFIA says affected producers and industry associations are cooperating in the investigation.
All areas of Canada have been considered bovine TB-free in its farmed bovine and cervid species since 2006. Isolated cases in cattle may occur without affecting that status, the CFIA notes.
In February 2023, the U.S. Department of Agriculture notified Canadian authorities of a positive bovine TB test in a heifer that had been exported from Saskatchewan in September 2022. The CFIA says its tracing work doesn’t show any connection from the 2023 investigation to this new case.
Since bovine TB is a reportable disease, producers are eligible for compensation for any animals ordered destroyed by the CFIA as part of the investigation.
The CFIA says it will share further updates on the investigation as more information becomes available.
