The Washington State Department of Agriculture has lifted the quarantine for a dairy that was suspected of contamination with bovine tuberculosis. One cow from Juergens Brothers Dairy in Moses Lake was confirmed to be infected. There was no human health concern connected to the case. The cow never entered food channels.
Two rounds of testing uncovered no additional cases of bovine TB. State veterinarian Dr. Leonard Eldridge said in a statement, “Our testing confirms that their herd is safe and they can return to normal business operations. Despite the enormous economic impact this quarantine has had on Jeurgens Brothers Dairy, the owners have cooperated throughout this critical investigation, making it possible to ensure the safety of all the state’s livestock.”
Eleven cows were identified as possibly infected in the first round of testing. Samples from those animals were sent to the National Veterinary Services Laboratory in Iowa for further testing. That lab confirmed that all of the cows tested negative for bovine TB. In the second round, one cow responded to the screening but was confirmed negative at slaughter.
Public health officials have tested 2,600 animals in Washington state and found no bovine TB. Next year, the WSDA will go back to the Moses Lake dairy for follow up testing.
