Deer being tested for bovine tuberculosis

[snackberry]

Deer being tested for bovine tuberculosis

http://www.news1130.com/2013/09/22/deer-being-tested-for-bovine-tuberculosis/

VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – A contagious disease that’s been a problem in deer populations in parts of North America is under watch here in BC.

People who hunt in the North Okanagan are being asked to submit the heads of deer for “bovine tuberculosis testing.

In the last few years, there have been three cases of bovine TB in BC cattle herds.

Wildlife vet Helen Schwantje says it’s been known to spread to deer, and it can become hard to control. “We want to ensure that our wildlife are healthy, and we want to ensure hunters stay healthy as well. We want to act early rather than waiting until later.”

Schwantje says they want to get ahead of any problems early. “Once a disease like this establishes in a deer herd, control is extremely difficult. So we really need to establish early when the disease does spread.”

It can spread to people, although Schwantje says it’s not a high risk.

 

[B-78]

They have been testing for it in MB. in the zones I hunt for a few years now, it is even a law that you have to submit your sample. Not really much of a hassle and Conservation has been giving out camo hats and other goodies as a thank you for submitting samples.

 

[martinbns]

Isn't it actually Chronic Wasting Desease in wild ungulates?

 

[Eagleye]

Isn't it actually Chronic Wasting Desease in wild ungulates?

The Bovine TB and CWD are two different diseases.
D.

 

[8mmpeter]

cwd is a spungeform that attacks the brain, tb is in the lungs.

 

[Paatz]

Overpopulation?

 

[Raton57]

When I was a kid we had to test all the milk cows every year and any cows we sold from the Herfords for TB. They stopped that many years ago. Elk in MB have been knowen to have it in the one park and they have to test the cows around it all the time.

 

[kennymo]

Be sure to take your samples in and encourage your friends to do so as well. If your CO's don't receive what they consider to be a large enough cross section of samples they may decide to do a cull in your area to get the numbers they need.