Bovine tuberculosis present in Belize

There is confirmation tonight from the Belize Agricultural Health Authority of the presence of bovine tuberculosis in the country.  Bovine TB is a chronic infectious disease which affects cattle and is caused by a bacteria that is related to the that which also causes tuberculosis in humans.  According to a release issued by BAHA earlier today, specimens that were sent to the Central Regional Laboratory in Merida have tested positive for the agent.  While the case seems to be isolated, a total of ninety-thousand cattle have been tested and only one came back positive.  The last outbreak of bovine TB was recorded over twenty-three years ago.  BAHA, through the Belize National Sanitary Cattle Plan Project, has been systematically identifying ranches and testing livestock.  The agency urges farmers to have their farms registered, identify their cattle and obtain movement permits for any moving of cattle out of their respective farms.