"The prevalence of bovine tuberculosis in the deer population in five counties of the northeast lower peninsula poses a potential risk to public health, USDA tuberculosis-free accreditation for Michigan cattle, wildlife health, wildlife related recreation and tourism," said Engler.

A state surveillance program for bovine tuberculosis, a cooperative effort among the Michigan Departments of Agriculture (MDA), Natural Resources (MDNR) and Community Health (MDCH), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Michigan State University, livestock producers, hunters and private hunt club owners has proven effective with the discovery of the disease in a captive white-tailed deer herd in Presque Isle County.

"This surveillance program was put in place in 1995 after tuberculosis was discovered in the wild white-tailed deer herd, to determine the extent of the problem, and to make sure the disease did not spread to livestock in the area," said MDA Director Dan Wyant.

"The discovery of tuberculosis in a captive deer herd, based on information provided by the herd owner, proves that our efforts to educate herd owners and hunters on how to identify possible symptoms of the disease, and our ongoing testing and surveillance efforts are working."

The area of intensive surveillance includes Alcona, Alpena, Montmorency, Oscoda and Presque Isle counties. "Through diligent surveillance activities, Michigan's cattle population has been, and continues to be, tuberculosis-free since 1979. We must now define an implementation strategy for a mandatory wild deer feeding ban in the affected five-county area in order to prevent any possibility of contamination to Michigan cattle," said Engler.

The mandatory feeding ban is necessary in order to minimize the concentration of animals and crowding of deer to avoid the possible transmission of bovine tuberculosis. The disease is spread among animals through prolonged direct nose to nose exposure, which is why the goal is to disperse them back into their natural population.

"This is the only incident of bovine tuberculosis in wild deer anywhere in the United States," said MDNR Director K.L. Cool. "The viability of the disease and its continued existence is directly linked to unnaturally high numbers of deer resulting from artificial feeding. The key to eradicating the disease is a mandatory ban on feeding which concentrates the deer--voluntary requests just haven't been enough."

Five cattle have been classified as reactors. Tuberculosis has not been confirmed in these animals. Tissue from these animals have been sent to the National Veterinary Services Laboratory at the USDA in Ames, Iowa for definitive determination.

"Consumers have no reason to worry about the safety of their milk and meat supply," said MDCH Director James K. Haveman, Jr. "The suspect herd of cattle has been quarantined so there is no possibility of this suspect meat getting into the food chain. All Grade A milk in Michigan has been required for years to be pasteurized assuring the safety of Michigan's milk supply."

Engler identified actions that must be included in the eradication strategy.

Development of wild deer herd harvest quotas consistent with eradication of bovine tuberculosis. Development and implementation methods for farmers to eliminate contact between wild deer and livestock. Continued comprehensive surveillance of livestock and deer to determine the actual prevalence of the disease and accurately evaluate trends. Dissemination of information to hunters, farmers and the public regarding the need to manage wild deer in the five county area to eradicate bovine tuberculosis.

Identification of a Bovine tuberculosis Eradication Coordinator position within the Department of Community Health to work cooperatively with all concerned agencies in overseeing the eradication management strategies.

The Agriculture Commission and the Natural Resources Commission will meet jointly on March 11, 1998 to discuss and where appropriate take action to eradicate bovine tuberculosis.

Tuberculosis is a chronic bacterial disease causing lesions in the lungs and/or lymph nodes and other internal organs, and is spread mainly through repeated and prolonged direct exposure to bacteria that are coughed up or exhaled by infected animals.