Brucellosis testing to begin
by Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!
June 13, 2008
Wyoming Assistant State veterinarian Dr. Jim Logan said that animal health officials are awaiting results of lab work aimed at growing the brucella bacteria from tissue samples taken from two Daniel cows earlier this week. The cows have tested positive for brucellosis antibodies on about a half-a-dozen different tests, but the tissue growth will determine if the animals were actively infected with the disease. The cows were both high titers, so they are treated as presumptive positives.
Meanwhile, preliminary plans are being made to begin testing the herd of cattle from which the two originated. It appears that testing will begin on Wednesday for the estimated 350 head in the herd of origin. The extent of testing that will be required of other herds (neighbors on fencelines, other herds that graze in common allotments, etc.) is not yet known. Logan noted that as the epidemiological investigation continues, that will help determine the amount of testing that will be required.
Logan suggested that perhaps if the investigation indicates the exposure event occurred last winter or spring, before contact with other herds may have occurred, the amount of testing may be limited. But if the exposure event occurred prior to that, the amount of testing may be substantially higher.
What is nearly a certainty is that more herds will be tested that just the index herd.
Producers are once again reminded that a meeting to discuss this situation will be held in Pinedale on Tuesday evening, June 17, at 7 p.m. in the Pinedale Library. Logan said late Friday that it is starting to appear that the library meeting room may not be big enough for the crowd expected to attend, so he was in the process of making plans to use the Pinedale Auditorium (associated with Pinedale High School, located on Hennick Street). State officials plan to confirm the location change on Monday morning, so check back here for an update.
Pinedale Online will continue to provide updates on this situation as important information becomes available.
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