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Bovine Tuberculosis Testing

Bovine Tuberculosis Testing

Since May 26, 2017, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) suspended the approval of the bovine tuberculosis gamma interferon test. The only other test approved for follow-up testing of bovine tuberculosis (TB) caudal fold suspect animals is the comparative cervical test (CCT), which can only be performed by MDARD or USDA veterinarians. The CCT is similar to the Caudal Fold test as it involves an initial injection and then the test is read three days later.

The CCT requires more handling of tested animals and an additional trip to the farm to read the test. Since this test must be started within seven days of the day you read a caudal fold test, it is very important that you notify our office immediately if you identify any caudal fold suspects during TB testing. If the test is not started within this seven-day period, the herd must remain under quarantine until the next approved testing period, which would be no sooner than 60 days.

Here are some things to keep in mind with this change:

  1. If you are going to be TB testing over 25 animals, please contact Cathy Lenda at 517-582-0562 or Nicole Spires at 517-855-8582 ahead of time, so we can anticipate that there may be suspect animals and be prepared to do CCTs.
  2. We need to be notified the same day that you identify any caudal fold-suspect animals. This notification should be done by calling Cathy Lenda at 517-582-0562 or Nicole Spires at 517-855-8582 and emailing a copy of the caudal fold test chart to LendaC1@Michigan.gov or SpiresN@Michigan.gov.
  3. If you are testing in Alcona, Alpena, Antrim, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Crawford, Emmet, Iosco, Montmorency, Ogemaw, Oscoda, Otsego, or Presque Isle or Roscommon counties, please direct all communications to MDARD's Atlanta office at 989-785-5616.
  4. When you call, make sure to share with us the correct phone number and address for the herd owner, as well as the animal's identification number, age, breed, and sex, so we can schedule the CCT.

If you have any questions, contact Dr. Mike VanderKlok at VanderKlokM@Michigan.gov or 517-230-4808.