Second case of Mycoplasma bovis confirmed in North Island

Thursday 3rd May 2018

A second case of Mycoplasma bovis has been found in the North Island, though the Ministry for Primary Industries says this doesn't mark a major turning point.

Mycoplasma bovis is commonly found in cattle globally, including Australia. It does not infect humans and presents no food safety risk, but can have serious effects on cattle, including mastitis, pneumonia, arthritis and late-term abortions.

A mixed sheep and beef property in the Pahīatua area, near Palmerston North in the Manawatū, has been confirmed as having the infection. The farm was identified through National Animal Identification and Tracing (NAIT) records, as it's connected to other infected properties through animal movements. MPI also confirmed two further mixed sheep and beef farms in Southland have been infected, but said there was nothing further to report, after speculation about the infection spreading to the Waikato.

Some 35 properties have now been found to be infected, with 8,000 animals culled over eight properties and 3,000 animals to be culled by the end of the week. A final decision on future management of the disease is still to be made, MPI said today.

"While this is the second North Island detection it should not be considered a major turning point in the response," MPI said."This is, in fact, just a further property uncovered through robust tracing activity. It is likely we will find further positive properties as this tracing continues."

Some 53 properties are under restricted place notices, including the 35 infected properties, and MPI said those farms will stay under quarantine while it carries out testing.

(BusinessDesk)

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