Notice to industry: Detection of bovine tuberculosis in Saskatchewan

2023-06-28

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has launched an investigation into cases of bovine tuberculosis (bovine TB) in a single cattle herd in Saskatchewan.

Bovine TB is a reportable disease in Canada and has been subject to a mandatory national eradication program since 1923. While Canada is 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. 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 February 23, 2023, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) notified the 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 traced the movements of the animal in Canada and determined the herd of origin, which was placed under quarantine until testing could be completed after the spring calving season. The CFIA determined that the animal had not spent time on other farm premises in Canada. The animal spent 5 months in a feedlot before being exported. All of the Canadian feedlot contact animals were destined for slaughter and were not moved to other farms.

In May 2023, all animals over 6 months of age in the herd of origin were tested for bovine TB and the reactor animals were removed for slaughter and post-mortem examination for signs of the disease. Tissues from the suspect animals were shipped to the CFIA's Ottawa Laboratory–Fallowfield where PCR testing confirmed 2 cases of bovine TB on June 19.

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

This finding should not affect Canada's current international status in which all provinces are considered bovine TB-free. This status supports international trade for Canada's beef industry.

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.

During a bovine TB investigation, quarantines and movement restrictions are placed on any implicated animals. Testing, humane destruction, and disposal are carried out as required. All of the animals in the infected herd will be humanely destroyed.

The CFIA is in the very early stages of its investigation. This involves identifying all herds that have come in contact with the infected animal during its life. The CFIA has also begun testing to identify the strain of the bacterium as this may inform if there are connections to previous cases.

As the investigation proceeds, the CFIA will trace the movement of animals to and from the infected herd during the past 5 years to identify and eliminate the source and any potential spread of the disease. Because the investigation is in the early stages, the exact number of herds involved and the time to complete the investigation are not yet known.

Detailed 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.

Compensation

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 farmers 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.