Two more farms put on notice against Mycoplasma bovis in Waimate

  • 08/11/2017

Ministry for Primary Industries has put two more farms on notice against Mycoplasma bovis in the Waimate district, after "suspicious"  test results for the bacterial cattle disease.

It has put the farms on a Restricted Place Notice, limiting the movement of animals and other risk goods on and off the farms as a precaution, until further tests are completed.

MPI spokesman Geoff Gwyn says the properties were identified through comprehensive surveillance, which has now tested more than 40,000 samples of milk, blood and swabs.

"This is exactly why we are doing this testing work - to know where the disease is, in order to contain and remove it," he says.

"We do not believe the new suspect properties represent a game changer. These farms are in the same geographical area to all known infected properties and neighbour Van Leeuwen Dairy Group farms.

"Our investigators are still building a picture of how animals on the farms could have been infected, if indeed they are, and what stock movements may have taken place onto the farms."

What is Mycoplasma bovis?

  • A bacterial disease in cattle
  • It can cause udder infection, abortion, pneumonia and arthritis
  • Commonly found in cattle globally, including in Australia

In October, MPI announced that 4000 cows from farms near Oamaru would be culled, after they were infected with the incurable bacterial disease discovered in New Zealand for the first time three months ago.

Newshub.