November 29, 1975
One wild deer found with bovine tuberculosis (TB) in Alcona County.
October 19, 1979
Michigan attains bovine TB accredited-free state status.
November 2, 1993
Slaughter tissue samples from Michigan cows sent by Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA) to National Veterinary Services Laboratory (NVSL) in Ames, Iowa. Cow traced to Isabella County.
December 21, 1993 to November, 1994
Culture positive for bovine TB. Additional testing of approx. 70 herds and 7,000 cattle found no additional bovine TB.
November 22, 1994
Male white-tailed deer killed during firearm hunting season in Alpena County identified as infected with bovine TB.
March 20 to July 5, 1995
MDA and United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) tested all livestock (771 cattle, 14 swine, 17 goats) in a 5-mile radius of the hunt club where the 1994 TB positive deer was found. No evidence of TB in any livestock tested.
March 14, 1995
Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) collected 14 deer from the hunt club. Deer from 2 captive herds within surveillance area also examined upon death or culling. No evidence of TB.
June 1995
Montcalm County captive elk farm diagnosed with bovine TB. Herd depopulated. DNA isolates show that this stain of TB was consistent with a Western United States strain. No additional evidence of bovine TB found.
November 1995
32 Montcalm County deer tested in area surrounding TB-infected captive elk herd. No additional evidence of bovine TB found.
Wildlife TB Survey 1995
Testing included: 403 hunter-harvested and non-hunt deer with 18 TB positive. Deer Management Unit 452 created by MDNR to monitor TB.
Wildlife TB Survey 1996
Testing included: 4,967 deer with 56 TB positive; 79 hunter-harvested elk with no evidence of TB; 2 badger, 1 bobcat, 4 coyotes, 27 raccoon, 4 red fox and 7 opossum tested with 1 TB positive coyote (Alcona County).
September, 1996
Assessing the Risks Associated with M. bovis in Michigan Free- Ranging White-Tailed Deer - Report completed by USDA, APHIS, VS, CEAH and presented to MDA.
December 3, 1996
First meeting of Multi-Agency Committee on Bovine TB in Wild Deer.
September, 1997
Recommendations for Elimination of Bovine TB and Economic Consequences Associated with Bovine TB in NE Michigan - Reports presented to state Directors of MDA, MDNR, Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) by MSU.
October, 1997
Presque Isle County captive deer farm identifies one deer with lesions suggestive of bovine TB. Herd quarantined, tested.
October, 1997
MDA begins whole-herd testing of dairy and beef cattle farms in the high-risk area.
November 10, 1997
MDA develops plan to eradicate bovine TB in known infected captive cervidae herd.
December 18, 1997
Tests confirm bovine TB in Presque Isle County captive deer herd.
December, 1997
MDA began contacting the 27 captive cervidae farms in the 5-county area to initiate surveillance testing for bovine TB.
Wildlife TB Survey 1997
Testing included 3,720 deer with 73 TB positive; 109 elk with no evidence of TB; 11 coyotes, 5 opossum, 1 raccoon and 1 red fox with 2 TB positive coyotes.
January 29, 1998
Governor Engler issued Executive Directive No. 1998-1, requiring MDCH, MDA and MDNR to jointly develop strategy to eradicate bovine TB.
February 3, 1998
Governor Engler names Bob Bender as Michigan's Bovine Tuberculosis Eradication Coordinator.
February 11, 1998
MDNR policy takes effect immediately, indefinitely banning new deer/elk farms in the 5-county area.
March 11, 1998
Joint meeting of the MDA and MDNR Commissions approved mandatory feeding ban on deer and elk in Enforced Restriction Area Order (bordered by I-75, M-55).
March 12, 1998
MDNR Wildlife Conservation Order, Amendment No. 2 of 1998, takes effect, significantly restricting baiting of deer and elk in the restricted area.
April 6, 1998
First set of bovine TB results in from USDA. No cattle test positive for TB. Montmorency herd released from quarantine.
June 17, 1998
TB positive cow confirmed in Alpena County. Herd (20 animals) depopulated, tissues sent to NVSL.
July 1, 1998
Deadline for removing deer, elk feed.
July 13, 1998
Natural Resources Commission approves additional hunting days and higher quotas for some deer and elk.
September 9, 1998
Michigan Agriculture Commission supports restricted movement order, primarily to control movement of livestock out of, and cervids moving into and out of the Enforced Restriction Area.
Wildlife TB Survey 1998
Testing included: 9,057 deer with 78 TB positive; 224 elk with no evidence of TB; 1 badger, 46 coyotes,1 feral cat, 1 gray fox, 26 opossum, 19 raccoon and 1 red fox; with 2 coyotes, 1 black bear and 2 raccoon TB positive .
January 1, 1999
Livestock movement restriction takes effect in Enforced Restriction Area.
January 6 & 7, 1999
Bovine TB Conference held in Lansing
January 6, 1999
Two additional TB positive cattle herds announced, a beef herds of 163 head and 13 head.
January 27, 1999
New allowances to increase indemnification for livestock take effect as amendments to the Animal Industry Act.
February 1, 1999
USDA decides not to change Michigan's TB Accredited-Free Status, intending to adopt a zonal status recognizing that bovine TB is limited to the Enforced Restriction Area.
March 11, 1999
Michigan Agriculture Commission passes resolution supporting statewide ban on deer feeding.
March 18, 1999
MDA opens Northeast Michigan office.
July 9, 1999
Natural Resources Commission votes to prohibit baiting in Enforced Restriction Area.
September 8, 1999
Natural Resources Commission votes to ban all deer and elk feeding in Enforced Restriction Area, as well as in Lower Peninsula except for limited recreational viewing.
October 1, 1999
New deer and elk feeding bans/restrictions take effect as required by Public Act 66 of 1999.
October 20, 1999
USDA issues interim rule dividing Michigan into TB zones; state/federal memorandum required.
November 10, 1999
Fourth beef cattle herd (Presque Isle County) confirmed as bovine TB-infected
November 10, 1999
Wild deer surveillance has been expanded to include 20 counties in the northern Lower Peninsula.
December, 1999
Three deer outside of Enforced Restriction Area (one each in Antrim, Mecosta and Osceola counties) are found with lesions suggestive of bovine TB.
Wildlife TB Survey 1999
Testing included: 19,500 deer with 58 TB positive; 180 elk were tested with no evidence of TB;  9 badger, 42 black bear, 13 bobcat, 86 coyotes, 2 feral cats, 96 opossum, 2 gray fox, 77 raccoon, 3 red fox, 6 skunk and 1 weasel tested; with 2 coyote, 1 bobcat and 1 red fox tested positive for TB.
January 6, 2000
MDA postpones signing Memorandum of Understanding with USDA on zoning after TB-infected deer are found outside of the Movement Restriction Area.
January 14, 2000
Antrim County deer tests positive for bovine TB.
January 20, 2000
Mecosta County wild deer tests positive for bovine TB.
February 7, 2000
Osceola County deer tests positive for bovine TB.
February 10, 2000
Presque Isle County dairy herd (5th herd) confirmed infected with bovine TB.
February 7 - 11, 2000
USDA conducts TB program review in Michigan.
February 18, 2000
Because of increased finding of bovine TB outside of the Movement Restriction Area, state adopts test-and-removal option for TB-responder animals in TB-infected herds in some circumstances.
March 6 & 7, 2000
Bovine TB conference held in Lansing. Speakers from Ireland and New Zealand give wildlife perspective. Researchers from USDA, MSU and DNR Rose Lake Wildlife Research Station present data on everything from transmission to natural feed deterrents.
March 7, 2000
Governor Engler announces TB Plan, including New Animal Health Diagnostic Lab. He calls for $20 million funding package to support statewide activities.
March 9, 2000
First round of TB testing in Northeast Michigan (east of I-75 and north of M-55) completed. Over 57,356 head of livestock tested to date.
March 17, 2000
MDA Director, Dan Wyant, and state bovine TB eradication coordinator, Bob Bender, led a delegation to Washington DC to seek an additional $7.5 million in federal funding for the bovine TB eradication effort. Included in the delegation were Dr. Michael Chaddock, of MDA, Dr. Steve Schmitt, of the MDNR and MSU representatives, Dr. John Baker and Dr. John Kaneene.
March 31, 2000
Beef herd in Alpena county confirmed bovine TB positive. Owner decides to depopulate.
March 31, 2000
To date the DNR has examined approximately 45,000 deer statewide and diagnostically tested over 38,000 hunter-harvested deer with 285 deer being confirmed as TB-infected. Since the surveillance project began in 1995, 645 carnivores and omnivores have been tested for TB. One black bear, one bobcat and one red fox, two raccoons and seven coyotes have been found to be bovine TB infected.
April 10, 2000
MDA forms a working group of industry and livestock producers to help review and offer amendments to the Animal Industry Act, 466.
April 12, 2000
Michigan Farm Bureau coordinates a Satellite Conference with MSU Extension, MDA, MDNR and USDA regarding bovine TB eradication efforts.
April 20, 2000
With the identification of three TB positive deer outside of Northeast Michigan, and additional TB positive cattle in the original movement restriction zone, the State of Michigan is moving toward statewide TB testing of livestock. The MDA announced that veterinarians statewide are encouraged to take a certification training course to become eligible for state reimbursement and receive current information regarding TB testing.
May 15, 2000
The USDA holds a conference via satellite, to speak to all interested parties, including livestock producers, hunters and wildlife enthusiasts about bovine TB in Michigan, from MSU.
May 25,2000
Congress Appropriates $6 million in federal funds to fight bovine TB in Michigan.
June 5, 2000
Thirty five animal beef herd in Alcona County confirmed infected with bovine TB. Owner decides to depopulate.
June 7, 2000
Additional 270 head beef herd in Alcona County confirmed infected with bovine TB.
June 9, 2000
The Natural Resources Commission wildlife orders state that counties that have at least one confirmed bovine TB positive deer are closed to baiting and feeding as of June 9, 2000. In all other counties statewide 2 gallons per day per site.
June 15, 2000
USDA holds a hearing in Lansing to receive public comment on the proposed bovine TB risk classifications.
June 22, 2000
TB status - As expected, the USDA officially lowers Michigan's TB status, to non-modified accredited, effective June 22, 2000. The statewide testing program for all cattle officially goes into effect, and in a twelve-month period all dairy herds in the state must be tested in order to comply with the Pasteurized Milk Ordinance. Northeast Michigan has it's own schedule. All Dairy herds North of M55 and east of I75 must have an annual bovine TB test by October 20 of each year.
July 13, 2000
Indiana lessens import restrictions on Michigan livestock. All Cattle goats, bison and privately owned cervids must originate from a herd that tested negative on a whole herd test and an individual animal being shipped must have tested negative prior to movement. In addition to these requirements, animals from 25 counties in Michigan's lower peninsula fall under the more stringent requirements of being quarantined on the premises of the purchaser and retested between 90 and 120 days after entry. Sheep and camelids are dropped from any requirements. The 25 counties that fall under the more restrictive requirements are: Alcona, Alpena, Antrim, Arenac, Cheboygan, Charlevoix, Clare, Crawford, Grand Traverse, Iosco, Isabella, Kalkaska, Lake, Mecosta, Missaukee, Montcalm, Montmorency, Newaygo, Ogemaw, Osceola, Oscoda, Otsego, Presque Isle, Roscommon and Wexford.
July 13, 2000
Enrolled Senate Bill 968 signed by Governor Engler. SB 968 includes supplemental appropriations for the eradication of bovine TB over the next three years from Michigan livestock and wildlife in the amount of $19.7 million general fund for the MDA, MDCH and MDNR.
August 1, 2000
Michigan cow-calf producers and feedlot owners are teaming up to maintain markets for Michigan beef, Dan Wyant Director of MDA announced today. Dr. Ben Bartlett, MSU Extension Veterinarian and Livestock Agent in the UP and Dr. John Molesworth,Veterinarian and Livestock Agent for NE Lower Michigan are preparing a series of five meetings to be held in late August and early September in Hale, Escanaba, Bruce Crossing, Gaylord and Clare.
August 3, 2000
Bovine TB Eradication Project notified that during the Spring 1999, depopulation of the captive cervid herd in Presque Isle County, a wild coyote from inside the enclosure tested positive for TB. There were no gross lesions found on necropsy by USDA personnel.  An adult female coyote shot by a deer hunter in Alcona County - in the fall of 1999 tested positive for bovine TB. There were no gross lesions found on necropsy at MSU's AHDL.
August 10, 2000
Governor Engler sent a letter to USDA Secretary of Agriculture Dan Glickman reiterating the message brought to Washington DC by Michigan representatives regarding funding a comprehensive bovine TB eradication program in Michigan. Michigan has committed over $83 million for the implementation of the comprehensive plan. Governor Engler asked that USDA enhance its level of effort to become a full partner in the eradication plan, in addition he and the representatives asked that USDA establish a program that assures uniform regulatory standards for all states. Keith Creagh, MDA Deputy Director; Dr. Lonnie King, MSU College of Veterinary Medicine Dean; Dr. Michael Chaddock, State Veterinarian; and Doug Darling, Michigan Agriculture Commissioner met with USDA Deputy Secretary, Richard Rominger and feel optimistic that USDA will be able to provide the necessary additional support.
September 11, 2000
Bob Bender, Bovine TB Eradication Coordinator; Dean Lonnie King, MSU CVM and State Veterinarian Michael Chaddock traveled to Washington DC today to meet with USDA and OMB officials regarding Federal Assistance in the eradication effort. They feel confident that a commitment from the federal government is forthcoming.
September 12, 2000
MDA Director Dan Wyant today announced that Dr. Larry Granger will head up MDA's new bovine TB eradication unit. As the state is now required to test for bovine TB statewide, this unit was established to set up and coordinate regional work teams of field veterinarians and technicians across Michigan. Granger will work closely with Bob Bender, the state's TB Eradication Coordinator, to help ensure that the increased testing needs of livestock producers are met in a timely and efficient manner.
September 15, 2000
The MDA, MSU and the USDA today confirmed that a 271 beef cattle herd in Alcona County has been diagnosed with bovine TB.
September 27, 2000
The MDA, MSU and the USDA today confirmed that a dairy cattle herd in Montmorency County has been diagnosed with bovine TB, according to Bob Bender, the state's Bovine TB Eradication Coordinator.
September 29, 2000
Senator Spencer Abraham announced that $60 million in emergency funding has been appropriated for the eradication of bovine TB in the United States. Correspondence with United States President, Bill Clinton and US Secretary of Agriculture, Dan Glickman pointed to the fact that since 1998 Governor Engler has appropriated over $83 million for the eradication of bovine TB in Michigan
October 6, 2000
Michigan Bovine Tuberculosis Eradication Coordinator Bob Bender today announced that the MDA, MSU and the USDA have confirmed that a small beef cattle herd in Alcona County has been diagnosed with bovine TB.
December 6, 2000
The MDNR, MDA, MDCH and MSU announced today that preliminary tests show a one-year-old, hunter-harvested whitetail buck from Emmet County likely was infected with bovine TB. Although further testing will be required to confirm those results, experts involved with the testing are confident it will be positive.
Wildlife TB Survey 2000
Testing included: 25,858 deer with 53 TB positive. 247 elk tested with 1 positive. Further DNA tests at MDCH confirmed that the strain of bovine TB from the elk was the same unique strain as in the Michigan deer and cattle. 13 badger, 25 bobcat, 67 black bear, 91 coyote, 16 feral cats, 1 gray fox, 2 mink, 94 opossum, 1 porcupine, 68 raccoon, 8 red fox, and 5 skunk; with 3 black bear, 1 bobcat, 4 coyotes, 2 opossum and 1 red fox testing positive.
January 10, 2001
DNR warns winter deer feeing may spread bovine TB. Deer feeding banned in 11 counties.
January 17, 2001
The MDA and the USDA today announced that a two-year-old beef cow from Alpena County in Northeast Lower Michigan was confirmed to be bovine TB positive.
February 15, 2001
MDA Director Dan Wyant today announced, effective March 1, 2001, that four Northeast Michigan counties (Alcona, Alpena, Montmorency and Presque Isle) where bovine TB infected herds have been found, will now be considered High Risk Areas. They will remain under comprehensive testing and movement requirements. The MDA Director also designates, effective March 1, 2001, two Potential High Risk Areas in Emmet and Mecosta counties. In these areas, all farms within a ten-mile radius of a bovine TB positive deer must have a whole herd TB test within six months. A High Risk Area is defined as an area where bovine TB has been diagnosed in domestic livestock. A Potential High Risk Area is an area where bovine TB has been diagnosed in wild, free-ranging cervids only. In a High Risk Area, official identification is required on all cattle, goats, bison or privately owned cervids (livestock) that move off any premises. Annual whole herd testing is required in the High Risk Area, unless the livestock are moved from a registered terminal operation directly to slaughter. All suspect and reactor animals identified through testing are taken to the MSU AHDL for necropsy and further testing, as needed.
March 1, 2001
A beef cow from a small herd in Alpena County has tested positive for bovine TB. The cattle herd is the 13th to test positive for the disease. All positive herds are from the TB affected area in Northeast Michigan.
March 5-6, 2001
The fifth annual Michigan Bovine TB Conference was held at the Lansing Center. Guest speaker Dewald Keet, Chief State Veterinarian for Kruger National Park in South Africa, presented information on bovine TB infection in the African Buffalo and African Lion. Additional speakers from Canada, the United States and Michigan presented their research findings.
March 15, 2001
MDA, USDA and MSU today confirmed that a beef cow from a small herd in Alpena County has tested positive for bovine TB. The cattle herd is the 13th to test positive for the disease. All TB positive herds are from the TB affected area in Northeast Michigan.
May 16, 2001
A 16th herd in the High Risk Area has tested positive for bovine TB. It is a small beef herd in Alcona County.
April 25, 2001
Trace-outs and testing lead MDA to two bovine TB positive Alpena County beef herds.
June 25, 2001
MDA announces that private practice veterinarians and MDA/USDA veterinarians completed testing 100 percent of the dairy herds (over 500,000 animals) in the State of Michigan. FDA, USDA and MDA sign an agreement indicating that Michigan's Pasteurized Milk Ordinance (PMO) Dairy Herd Testing Protocol meets strict requirements under the PMO.
September 27, 2001
A small beef herd in Alcona County is the latest to be diagnosed with bovine TB. This is the 18th herd to be found positive. Since 1995, over 711,450 cattle, bison and goats have been tested.
October 24, 2001
The USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) awards $1.8 million in grant monies to further bovine TB eradication program activities. MDA projects, under the agreement, include a two-year pilot project to establish Livestock Electronic Identification (ID) in cattle herds in Northeast Lower Michigan. Additionally, any livestock in a federally accredited dairy herd in Michigan will have the Electronic ID tag; and the Gamma-Interferon test pilot project, which will use 20,000 blood samples to determine if this test could replace the Comparative Cervical Tuberculin (CCT) test.
December 10, 2001
The Natural Resources Commission announces it will sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with USDA and MDA to establish criteria for the maintenance of split state status. Language in the MOU includes a ban on feeding and baiting of wild, free-ranging elk and white-tailed deer in any county in which bovine TB in wild, free-ranging elk or white-tailed deer has been confirmed. The baiting ban may be lifted after TB is not found in wild free-ranging deer or elk in a specific county after two consecutive years. Bovine TB surveillance of free ranging cervids will continue for five years in each specific county after no additional disease is found. If livestock or wild, free-ranging cervids are found to be positive for bovine TB in a county where previously, no positive cervids have been found, stepped-up surveillance of wild, free-ranging cervids will occur during the following hunting season. Large numbers of deer will continue to be looked-at each year in high risk counties.
Wildlife TB Survey 2001
Testing included 24,278 deer with 60 TB positive; 216 elk with 1 TB positive; 15 badger, 62 black bear, 14 bobcat, 86 coyotes, 10 feral cats, 1 feral dog, 1 gray fox, 2 mink, 63 opossum, 49 raccoon, 9 red fox, 8 river otter, 10 skunk and 1 snowshoe hare with 3 black bear, 2 bobcat and 2 coyote testing TB positive.
March 10, 2002
MDA establishes Zones to help fight bovine TB. The Zones require bovine TB identification and testing as well as movement restrictions for Michigan cattle, goats, bison, and privately-owned cervids. The Infected Zone includes Alcona, Alpena, Montmorency, and Presque Isle counties. The Surveillance Zone includes Cheboygan, Crawford, Iosco, Ogemaw, Oscoda, and Otsego counties; while the Disease Free Zone includes the remaining 73 counties in Michigan's Upper and Lower Peninsula. Official identification is required on all domestic livestock that move from any premises in each of the zones. In the Infected Zone, the use of electronic identification, which is now provided at no cost by the state through a federal grant, will be strongly encouraged. Annual whole herd testing is required as well as permits to move breeding stock and feeder livestock to any premises outside this Zone, unless moving directly to slaughter. Biennial whole herd testing will be required of all herds in the Surveillance Zone. A movement permit will be required to move breeding stock and feeder livestock to any premises outside the Surveillance Zone, unless moving directly to slaughter. In the Disease-Free Zone, all herds located in Antrim, Arenac, Charlevoix, Emmet, Gladwin, Kalkaska, Missaukee, and Roscommon counties are required to have a whole herd test between Jan. 1, 2002, and Dec. 31, 2002.
March 12, 2002
Bovine TB Conference held at Lansing, MI. Guest speakers included Larry Judge, Area Epidemiologist with USDA; Dr. Joe Vantiem, USDA; Diana whipple and Mitch Palmer, USDA Research; Dr. Graham Hickling, New Zealand.
April 10, 2002
MDCH officials announce that an elderly individual was diagnosed with bovine TB, but died from unrelated causes in February. DNA fingerprinting conducted by the MDCH laboratory determined the strain of Mycobacterium bovis found in the individual was the same found in cattle and deer in Northern Lower Michigan.
April 17, 2002
The Director of the MDA announces that Oscoda County will be a High Risk Area because a beef bull was found infected with bovine TB. Oscoda County is in the Surveillance Zone, but will now undergo an annual testing regimen for at least a three-year period.
May 31, 2002
Michigan Governor Engler signs HB 5832, the amendments to the Animal Industry Act, now PA 458 of 2002. This act allows MDA to move forward with regulations and testing plans.
July 19, 2002
State and federal officials announce that two Emmet County cattle herds tested positive for bovine TB. These herds were outside of the four county infected zone where TB has previously been found in livestock. Emmet County is designated as a High Risk Area and will undergo an annual herd-testing regimen for a three-year period.
August 6, 2002
Submission of Michigan application for Split State Status to USDA. In order to prepare for Split State Status, MDA, on March 10, 2002, split Michigan into three zones [under authority of the Director of the MDA, as prescribed by P.A. 466 of 1988 as amended], Disease Free, Surveillance and Infected.
September 15, 2002
MDA officials establish an updated scientifically-based bovine TB surveillance plan for livestock in Michigan's Disease Free Zone. Specifically, the plan establishes a random herd selection TB testing program and relieves the burden of individual testing for farmers moving animals in the disease free areas, as long as herds have undergone one whole herd test before movement.
September 15, 2002
The State of Michigan has tested nearly 800,000 cattle bison, goats and privately owned cervids. About 88,000 wild white-tailed deer have been tested for bovine TB since 1995. Of those, 25 cattle herds and one privately owned cervid herd were exposed to at least one animal in the herd with bovine TB. All farms, except two dairies (which have since tested free of the disease) were depopulated. Nearly 400 wild white-tailed deer have tested positive.
October 2002
Bob Bender retires as bovine TB eradication coordinator.
November 2002
Bridget Patrick named bovine TB eradication coordinator with the MDCH.
December 7, 2002
MDA announced that a dairy herd in Alcona County is under quarantine until further testing can be conducted to determine if the TB positive animal, detected through routine TB testing, was exposed to the Michigan stain of TB.
Wildlife TB Survey 2002
Testing included 18,100 deer with 51 TB positive; 131 elk with all negative; 4 badger, 1 black bear, 2 bobcat, 27 coyote, 6 feral cat, 1 mink, 86 opossum, 91 raccoon, 4 red fox, 2 river otter and 6 skunk with 3 coyotes, 6 raccoon, and 1 red fox testing TB positive.
January 27, 2003
Officials confirmed today that DNA fingerprinting on the Bovine TB positive Alcona County dairy cow indicates it is the same strain of TB endemic to the wild white-tailed deer and cattle in Northeastern Lower Michigan. The herd will remain under quarantine and will undergo a stringent test-and-remove program for the next 36 months, until clear. Officials also indicated that a small beef herd in Alcona County recently tested positive for bovine TB. This brings the total number of small herds to 28, since testing began in 1995.
February 11, 2003:
State Veterinarian and Animal Industry Division Director, Dr. Joan Arnoldi announced at the Michigan Agriculture Commission meeting today that a cow from a small beef herd in Oscoda county was bovine TB positive. To date MDA has depopulated all TB positive beef farms in Northern Michigan.
March 7, 2003
State officials today announced that a deer harvested north of the city of Gaylord, in Otsego County's Livingston Township, during the 2002 hunting season has tested positive for bovine TB. As a result and according to the state's TB eradication protocol, the MDA has designated any cattle, goat, bison and cervid farms within a 10-mile radius of the deer to be in a "Potential High Risk Area." Approximately 50 herds must be tested within six months of the designation.
December 31, 2003
The bovine TB Eradication Project plans to have all cattle, bison, goats and privately owned cervids herds in the State of Michigan tested.
January 27, 2003
Officials confirmed that DNA fingerprinting on the above mentioned dairy cow matches the same strain of TB endemic to the wild white-tailed deer and cattle in Northeastern Lower Michigan. The herd will remain under quarantine and will undergo a stringent test-and-remove program for the next 24 months, until clear.
February 11, 2003
The State Veterinarian announced at the Michigan Agriculture Commission meeting today that a cow from a small beef herd in Oscoda county was bovine TB positive. Oscoda was designated a High Risk County in July of 2002, as a result, routine annual testing and testing for movement off the farm led to the discovery of this beef herd. MDA has depopulated all TB positive beef farms in Northern Michigan. Officials also indicated that a small beef herd in Alcona County recently tested positive for bovine TB. This brings the total number of herds (including one privately owned cervid herd) to 28 (from Alcona, Alpena, Emmet, Oscoda and Presque Isle Counties) since testing began in 1995. To date, MDA has tested over 850,000 cattle, bison, goats and privately owned cervids. Only 77 individual animals have tested positive for bovine TB.
March 2003
To date the Michigan DNR has necropsied over 105,594 white-tailed deer. Over 17,811 deer harvested in 2002 were necropsied. Of those deer, 51 suspects are expected to culture positive for bovine TB. All of the deer are from within six no bait counties; Alcona, Alpena, Oscoda, Otsego, Montmorency and Presque Isle. The total number of positive deer, at this point in time is 398 (not including the 2002 suspects). For a more detailed list of the MDNR surveillance numbers visit the Activities Report link.
March 17, 2003
The MDA has confirmed a small beef/dairy herd (less than 50 animals) in Alpena County as bovine TB positive. This brings the total number of TB infected herds (including one privately owned cervid herd) in Northern Michigan to 30. Continuous, repetitive testing of these farms helps ensure that the disease is picked up in the very earliest stages of exposure. Of the 956,000 cattle tested to date in Michigan, only 68 have been identified as TB infected.
April 14, 2003
Michigan moved one step closer in its bovine TB eradication efforts with this week's proposed rule by the USDA to allow the state to split into two separate bovine TB classification zones. This designation effectively enables Michigan to further focus its resources and eradication activities in Northeast Michigan where the disease has been pinpointed and will again allow market access for the state's livestock producers outside of the affected area.
May 14, 2003
Bovine TB conference held at Lansing. Guest speakers included: Dr. Joe Woltanski, USDA and MSU researchers.
May 21, 2003
The MDA has tested 1,033,702 cattle since testing began in 1998.
June 3, 2003
State animal health officials today announced that a beef cow from an Antrim County herd, which had originated from the state's known TB-affected area of Presque Isle County, has been confirmed as bovine TB positive. According to MDA the movement of the animal was legal, as the Presque Isle County herd had gone through two annual whole-herd tests before the producer received a permit to move. Both herds have been quarantined and animal movement in and out of the herds will be traced.
January-April, 2003
The State of Michigan is evaluating a new intervention strategy that may be more acceptable to many hunters and landowners.  The new strategy is based on live-trapping and TB-testing of wild deer, and removal of positive animals.  This strategy is not intended to replace initial strategies to keep deer densities down and control or eliminate feeding and baiting, but may assist them in eliminating TB from the deer herd. The MDNR pilot-trialed the new strategy in a township with relatively high TB prevalence within DMU 452 during the winter of 2003 
June 23, 2003
The comment period for the proposed USDA rule designating 2 separate zones in Michigan has been extended to July 25, 2003. This would raise one zone from modified accredited to modified accredited advanced.  (MDA Press Release)
June 23, 2003
Antrim County designated as “High Risk Area” by MDA. (MDA Press Release)
July 30, 2003
State hosted TB information meeting for Antrim Co. producers. (MDA Press Release)
July 30, 2003
Grand Rapids-area resident, Dr. Mike VanderKlok, selected to head MDA’s bovine TB eradication program. (MDA Press Release)
December 16, 2003
Roscommon County designated as “Potential High Risk Area” by MDA. (MDA Press Release)
Wildlife TB Survey 2003
Testing included17,308 with 32 testing TB positive; 97 elk with 2 TB positive; 2 badger, 2 bobcat, 24 coyotes, 2 opossum, and 1 raccoon with 2 coyotes testing TB positive.
January 26, 2004
MDA hosts TB meeting in Antrim Co. for dairy and beef cattle producers. (MDA Press Release)
February 6, 2004
Supplemental feeding of wild deer resumes in parts of Upper Peninsula. A ban remains for the other areas of Michigan. This allows residents in parts of the UP to obtain a supplemental deer feeding permit. The order is valid for a year and must be reviewed.
February 29, 2004
Preliminary case of TB in mid-Michigan beef herd – not Michigan strain. (MDA Press Release)
April 2, 2004
Public comment period opens, hearings to be held on USDA bovine TB zones; zone changes, MOU necessary for split-state status. (MDA Press Release)
June 1, 2004
Two zone designation finalized. (MDA Press Release)
June 9 & 10, 2004
Bovine TB conference held in Lansing, MI. Guest speakers included Konstantin Lyashchenko; John Fischer, SE Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study; Om Surujballi, Mycobacterial Disease Center; Doug Bergeson, Parks Canada; Ray Waters and Mitch Palmer, USDA Research.
November 12, 2004
State seeks federal TB-free status for the Upper Peninsula. (MDA Press Release)
Wildlife TB Survey 2004
Surveillance activities for bovine TB continued statewide, with an emphasis on the northern half of Lower Peninsula.  In white-tailed deer, 28 animals cultured positive from 15,127 deer submitted for testing (MDNR Press Release). 110 elk with all testing negative.
Fall 2004
An effort to develop a more accurate blood testing procedure was the focus of the pilot during the 2004 hunting season.  Hunters were asked to collect blood from deer harvested in DMU 452, and to submit the blood and deer head to a deer check station.  The lymph nodes from the deer heads were cultured for TB and culture results compared with results from four TB blood tests.  One blood test (Rapid Test) that can be done in 10-15 minutes in the field with whole blood looks promising.
December 2004
2004 Bovine TB Activities Report and Conference Proceedings released by Michigan Bovine TB Eradication Program.
January 6, 2005
A hunter infected while gutting a deer has become the first living person diagnosed with the strain of bovine tuberculosis found in some northern Michigan deer and cattle, state health officials said today.  He cut his hand while removing the deer's innards and sought medical attention after noticing lesions in the chest cavity.
April 13, 2005
The Minnesota Board of Animal Health recently changed its policy on the importation of ruminant animals, effectively reopening trade to cattle from Michigan’s bovine Tuberculosis (TB) Modified Accredited Advanced Upper Peninsula (UP) zone and the Modified Accredited Advanced zone of the Lower Peninsula