A cow has tested positive for bovine tuberculosis or TB in a beef cattle herd in Wheeler County, Nebraska. Nebraska Director of Agriculture Steve Wellman says veterinarians from his department and USDA worked together to diagnose the case, which actually originated in South Dakota.
He says officials in Nebraska and South Dakota have been working together on this case for several weeks to track and prevent further spread of TB, since it is primarily transmitted through nose to nose contact.
Wellman says they are working with the cattle producer to protect the cattle industry in Nebraska.
TB is difficult to diagnose in the early stages, but animals can exhibit lethargy, weakness, anorexia, low-grade fever and pneumonia with a chronic, moist cough. Producers should contact their vet if they see any of these symptoms.
