Basic HTML Version
TUBERCULOS I S
11
LIVESTOCK MATTERS
WORKING
TOGETHER
FOR A HEALTHIER FUTURE...
Vet viewpoint
'Whether you are in the high risk area,
low risk area or the edge, buying-in
cattle can be a risky business. If you are
purchasing stock it is important to find out
as much as you can about the TB testing
interval and history of the farm selling the
animals, as well as how long those
animals have been on the farm. This will
allow you and your vet to assess the
relative likely risks of purchasing animals
from one unit in comparison with another.
Auction marts can assist by asking
vendors for the information and displaying
it in catalogues and in the ring - i.e.
supporting risk-based trading - as has
recently happened at a rare breeds show
and sale at Chelford.'
Bridget Taylor
Wright & Mor ten
Vet viewpoint
Bill Pepper
Cliffe Veterinary
Group
Vet viewpoint
‘Of the two available tests for Bovine TB
in live animals, the “Skin Test” is considered
to be the best herd screening test
because it produces the lowest number of
false positive results. It's ability to identify
infected cattle is just over 80% when
carried out in handling facilities giving
good, safe access to the animal's neck
in a well-lit area. Testing accuracy will
deteriorate with poor handling facilities
and adverse weather conditions. The
“Gamma Interferon Blood Test” is
reserved for use in new breakdown herds
and can detect infected animals earlier. It
will detect more infected cattle than the
skin test. When used together, these tests
are capable of finding and removing TB
infection from new breakdown herds
quickly. Both tests are capable of
identifying infected cattle before lesions
or bacteria can be found in the carcass'.
Rob Henderson
Midshire Veterinary
Group
Bill Pepper of Cliffe Vets in Sussex agrees
with Rob’s comments: 'Farmers in the
edge area now face the compulsory use
of the blood test as well as the skin test.
This will lead to an increase in the
number of reactors killed but the policy
should contribute to a quicker resolution
of a new breakdown, as well as the
creation of a TB-free firebreak around the
high risk areas'.
...the Skin Test is considered to be the best herd screening test
because it produces the lowest number of false positive results.
“
”