A recent outbreak of bovine tuberculosis (TB) has caused some controversy in southern Alberta.
The outbreak was originally discovered on September 22 when a cow that was shipped from Alberta to the United States to be slaughtered was found to have a case of TB.
TB is a bacterial disease that can be spread quite easily through coughing and sneezing, meaning the herd where the original cow that was infected will be euthanized.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has said that they are continuing investigations in hopes of limiting the amount of euthanized animals, but also to make sure farmers are properly compensated.
“The CFIA will pay compensation to producers as quickly as possible for any animals ordered destroyed,” says a statement released by CFIA officials.
No word has come to when compensation payments will begin, many farmers are starting to become worried.
The bigger concern comes from the lack of response time from the CFIA.
Not a single head of cattle has been euthanized since the beginning of the infection was discovered.
At least 10,000 animals on 33 ranches are quarantined in Alberta and one farm in Saskatchewan.
Each one of these cows is set to be tested for the disease, and as a result will not be allowed to be moved from the ranches they’re currently on.
Austin Garrett, a cattle rancher from western Saskatchewan, says that if his heard was to be tested, it could be devastating for their farm.
“Sure they’re going to pay a little compensation, but that doesn’t make up for the money these cows provide for us year after year. If they started killing our cows, it would be devastating.”
TB can spread from animals to humans in a number of way that, though rare, can still be fatal.
Drinking unpasteurized dairy products, direct contact with an open wound during the slaughtering process or inhaling the air exhaled from an infected animal are all possibilities.
Different symptoms may occur depending on the part of the body affected by the disease, but common ones include night sweats, weight loss, fever, cough, abdominal pain and diarrhea.
If untreated, the disease can become fatal.
If the case shows to be wide spread and a large amount of cows are euthanized, beef prices will be on the rise by the beginning of next year.
