BOVINE TUBERCULOSIS INVESTIGATION CONTINUES

Public meeting offers update

SACRAMENTO, August 14, 2002-The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) has announced a public meeting on August 16, 2002 regarding the Bovine Tuberculosis incident in Tulare County. CDFA Secretary William (Bill) J. Lyons, Jr. and State Veterinarian Dr. Richard Breitmeyer will join officials from the USDA and local county health departments to provide an informational update about the investigation that has followed the discovery of the disease.

“The investigation has been a well organized effort among agencies,” said Secretary Lyons. “And the full cooperation of the dairy industry has allowed us to provide a timely and efficient response.”

In May 2002, Bovine Tuberculosis was confirmed in a Holstein cow in Tulare County and the herd was placed under a state quarantine. An investigation ensued to trace and test herds that had contact with the infected herd. To date, upwards of 36,000 cattle have been tested. While there is no evidence to indicate that the infection spread beyond this herd, CDFA and USDA personnel continue to trace and test exposed cattle. This process is expected to continue over the next several months.

The meeting will be held on August 16, 2002, at the Tulare County Agricultural Building, 4437 South Laspina Street in Tulare from 9:00 to 10:30 A.M.


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FLEX YOUR POWER. To meet California’s energy challenge, CDFA urges businesses and consumers to conserve. For a list of simple ways that you can reduce demand and cut your energy costs, see our Web site @www.cdfa.ca.gov.