What are the new regulations regarding Brucellosis Tests?
There is no effective way to know if animals are infected by their appearance; detection of the disease requires testing. Blood, milk, and other samples used for official brucellosis tests may only be taken by accredited veterinarians or authorized government representatives. The surveillance program includes blood testing cattle for movement, sales or shows, and all cattle more than two (2) years of age when slaughtered. Milk samples from every commercial dairy herd are also tested four (4) times a year. Positive brucellosis test results must be reported to the Department by the official testing laboratory within 24 hours of their completion. Any suspicious samples are fully investigated, and may include a blood test of the whole herd. Reactors found during testing must be identified, put under “hold” and, because there is no known cure for brucellosis, slaughtered within 30 days after identification. Indemnity payments are still available under most circumstances. What are the regula
