Hunters warned to monitor the presence of bovine tuberculosis in deer



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Hunters are cautioned to monitor deer with bovine tuberculosis following the discovery of the disease in a large herd of Michigan cattle.

Although bovine tuberculosis is generally present in cattle, it can infect almost all mammals, including humans. This is according to the DNR of Michigan.

Bovine tuberculosis in animals can occur in the lungs, but also in the intestines and other parts of the body.

From the Michigan DNR:

There are signs of bovine tuberculosis that hunters can observe when dressing a deer in the field.

The lymph nodes of the animal's head are usually the first infected and, as the disease progresses, lesions may begin to develop on the surface of the lungs and chest cavity. In severely infected deer, lesions can sometimes be found throughout the body of the animal.

Deer with severe tuberculosis may have yellow or tanned lumps lining the chest wall and lung tissue. Deer with this type of infection should be submitted to the DNR for laboratory testing.

In the years following the discovery of bovine tuberculosis in wild white-tailed deer in Michigan, much has been learned about this contagious disease.

The DNR and other agencies working to eradicate bovine tuberculosis in our state are encouraging Michigan residents to learn about this disease and to do their best, as individuals and groups, to fight it.

For more information on bovine tuberculosis, visit www.michigan.gov/emergingdiseases.

From the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development:

Bovine tuberculosis has recently been confirmed in a large herd of cattle in Alcona County.

This herd, the 73rd cattle herd identified as having bovine tuberculosis in Michigan since 1998, was identified through routine surveillance testing.

Bovine tuberculosis is an infectious bacterial disease affecting mainly cattle. It is endemic to the human-sized deer population of the Michigan-approved modified area designated by the USDA for Alcona, Alpena, Montmorency and Oscoda Counties. Cattle producers must be monitored annually and tested for movement so that they can catch the disease earlier and prevent it from leaving the farm.

"In the modified accredited area, anything that is common to deer and cattle can be a potential source of infection with bovine tuberculosis," said Nancy Barr, veterinarian, Michigan veterinary assistant. "Preventing deer from coming into contact with livestock feeds, livestock storage or watering areas is critical for farmers in this region of Michigan and is part of the wildlife biosecurity program being implemented." . "

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