2025-06-16
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has launched an investigation into a case of bovine tuberculosis in an animal originating from the Pembina Valley Region of Manitoba that was slaughtered at a federally registered abattoir in Manitoba.
Bovine TB is a reportable disease in Canada and has been subject to a mandatory national eradication program since 1923. While all areas of Canada are considered to be officially free of bovine TB today, isolated cases in cattle may occur.
Human cases of bovine TB are very rare. Exposure can occur through the passage of fluids from an infected animal to an open skin sore, extended close contact with an animal with active respiratory TB or consuming raw or unpasteurized animal products (such as unpasteurized milk) from an infected animal.
Pasteurized milk and milk products are safe to consume.
Generally, bovine TB does not pose a threat to public health in Canada because of the extremely low prevalence of the disease, the abattoir surveillance and testing programs in place, and practices such as pasteurization of milk.
Overview
On June 9, 2025, culture testing by the CFIA Ottawa Laboratory Fallowfield found Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex in tissues collected from a 7-year-old cow at a federally registered slaughter facility in Manitoba. On June 13, 2025, the presence of Mycobacterium bovis (M. bovis) was confirmed.
Working with the information in the DairyTrace system, the CFIA identified a herd in Manitoba as the herd of origin of the infected animal. This herd has been placed under quarantine until testing and depopulation can be completed.
The timing of testing will be determined after discussions with the producer to manage the operational impact of the process.
The CFIA is continuing to work closely with producers, industry associations, and provincial and federal agricultural and health authorities throughout the investigation.
An investigation of this detection will support international market access for Canada's dairy and beef sectors.
Process and next steps
In all cases where federally-regulated diseases are suspected or confirmed, the goal is to take appropriate and prudent control measures while minimizing disruptions to producers.
The CFIA is in the very early stages of its investigation, including further laboratory analysis to determine the mycobacterium strain found during the culture testing.
Information on bovine tuberculosis and what can be expected during an investigation is available on the CFIA website. Investigation updates will be posted as more information becomes available.
During an investigation, quarantines and movement restrictions are placed on any implicated animals. Testing and humane destruction through slaughter are carried out as required.
Compensation and financial assistance
Producers are eligible for compensation for any animals ordered destroyed by the CFIA as part of this investigation.
In addition, under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, there is a suite of business risk management (BRM) programs available, including AgriInvest and AgriStability, to help producers manage risk due to severe market volatility and disaster situations that are largely beyond their capacity to manage. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada is the lead federal department for these programs.
A collaborative approach
Disease investigations require a great deal of cooperation and collaboration.
Affected producers and industry associations, as well as federal and provincial departments, are cooperating in the ongoing investigation. The common goal is to protect human health, protect the health of Canadian livestock and, in the process, maintain market access.