Mycoplasma bovis Update

Edition 307, Friday 21 October 2022
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Number changes from last update:

There is one new Active Confirmed Property
There are no new Cleared Confirmed Properties

New Active Confirmed Property

As indicated publicly last month (view here), the expected additional farm within the Wakanui controlled area notice (CAN) has now been confirmed infected. This property is in the ‘high-risk’ area (red) of the CAN and has been under movement restrictions since August 2022.

Investigations on this property are underway and we are working closely with the farmer.

The CAN, which came into force on 13 October is a precautionary measure to restrict the movement of cattle in an effort to stop M. bovis circulating in the area and coincides with the planned depopulation of a nearby feedlot, which is an important next step towards eradication – you can read the full announcement here.

With high levels of network and national surveillance being undertaken and very few new active confirmed properties, we can be cautiously optimistic that good progress has been made towards eradication, and that we are in the ‘tail end’ of the disease outbreak. We’ve come a long way from the height of the programme when there was a peak of 40 confirmed properties across the country to the small number of farms now and farmers have made huge sacrifices.

We are committed to hunting down the last remaining infection.

Calf Club 2022

Calf clubs are just around the corner – a fantastic opportunity to get together, show off your livestock and teach New Zealand’s future farmers the importance of keeping New Zealand safe from unwanted pests and disease.

Separating calves from different herds
Keeping calves separated is important. If pens aren’t available ensure calves are tethered at least two meters apart.

The main way Mycoplasma bovis (M. bovis) spreads is by nose-to-nose contact between cattle.

Transport
Calves from different herds or farms should be transported to and from calf club separately.

Parading Calves
To help reduce contact between calves while they’re parading:

Calves should always wear a halter
Consider separate entry and exit points to the parade are

Keeping NAIT updated
To ensure a safe event it is important for all farmers, not to forget to update NAIT records. All animal movements to and from events must be registered.
Make sure all calves (except bobby calves under 30 days of age), born on your farm are NAIT tagged and registered. See OSPRI’s checklist for calving, including tagging tips – here.

Download the full update

KEY CONTACTS

Latest information on Mycoplasma bovis and the Eradication Programme - M. bovis website
General questions on M. bovis - call 0800 008 333 or email Mbovis_Liaison@mpi.govt.nz
Compensation information - call 0800 008 333 or email compensationcoordinator@mpi.govt.nz
Direct farmer support (Rural Support Trust) - 0800 787 254
To report a pest or disease (Exotic Pest and Disease Hotline) - 0800 80 99 66

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