USAHA News
United States Animal Health Association
Contact - Larry Mark - (703) 451-3954 - webmaster@usaha.org



For immediate release:

SEVEN BRUCELLOSIS-INFECTED CATTLE HERDS FOUND LAST YEAR

        GREENSBORO, N.C., Oct. 27, 2004 - There were seven cattle herds affected with
brucellosis during fiscal 2004.  This information was presented as part of the status report on the
cooperative state-federal brucellosis program at the meeting of the USAHA Committee on
Brucellosis here this week.

     One herd was found in Missouri, two in Texas and four in Wyoming.  Missouri had been
granted brucellosis Class Free status early in the year prior to disclosure of the one affected herd. 
Current regulations and program standards allow a state to retain Class Free status when only one
affected herd is disclosed within the state in a two-year period, provided certain requirements are
met to contain the outbreak and there is no spread to additional herds.  The two herds in Texas
were separate and unrelated outbreaks and their disclosure did not affect the state's Class A
status.

     Three of the four herds found in Wyoming were located in the western part of the state in
close proximity to elk winter feed grounds.  The fourth herd was in the northeast corner of the
state and is not association with known affected elk populations; investigation of the source of
this infection is still ongoing.  Because of multiple herd outbreaks during the year, Wyoming was
reduced from Class Free to Class A status.  

     At the end of fiscal 2004, 48 states held Class Free status with Texas and Wyoming
continuing in Class A status.  Infected bison and elk in the greater Yellowstone area remain a
threat to neighboring cattle herds.

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