Bovine tuberculosis in Saskatchewan (2023)

On February 23, 2023, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) notified the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) that tissues collected at slaughter from a heifer originating from Canada had a positive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test for bovine tuberculosis. The animal was exported from Saskatchewan in September 2022 and was in a US feedlot until its slaughter.

The CFIA is continuing to work closely with the producers, industry associations, and provincial and federal agricultural and health authorities throughout the investigation.

Services and information

About the disease

Signs, how the disease is spread, what owners can do.

Status of the bovine tuberculosis investigation

As the investigation proceeds, the CFIA will trace the movement of animals to and from the infected herd to identify and eliminate the source and any potential spread of the disease.

Information for producers

What to expect if your farm is part of the investigation

Bovine TB in Canada today is rare and the majority of investigations generally serve to rule out the presence of disease.

What to expect if your animals are infected

Steps included destruction and disposal, cleaning and disinfection, removal of quarantine and compensation.

Cleaning and disinfection

C&D is performed on premises declared infected.

Compensation

Under the Health of Animals Act, the CFIA may compensate owners for animals and things ordered destroyed during disease response situations.