Bovine TB

Question 1

When do you test for a TB reaction?

Answer 1

3 days after injecting

Question 2

How do you test for a TB reaction?

What quantifies a reactor?

Answer 2

Measure the 2 skin reactions
When the bovine site reaction exceeds the avium site reaction by over 4mm -> reactor
When the bovine site reaction measures 1-4mm more than the avium -> inconclusive

Question 3

Where should you inject when doing a TB test?

Answer 3

Split the neck into thirds and inject in between the first and second third.
Inject the avian tuberculin at the top of the neck, then leave around 13cm before injecting the bovine tuberculin.

Question 4

How often should you TB test?

Answer 4

Annually (at least)

Question 5

What kind of test is a TB test?

Answer 5

Intradermal

Question 6

What do you inject when doing a TB test?

Answer 6

Mycobacterium avium

Mycobacterium bovis

Question 7

What do the APHA do if a farm’s OTF (officially TB-free) status is lost?

Answer 7

• Apply movement restrictions- must not move cattle on or off the premises unless APHA gives the farmer a licence to do so.
• Arrange the slaughter and PM of any reactor animals to check for lesions caused by TB.
• Tell farmer to clean and disinfect areas of the farm after the reactors have been removed.
• Send farmer a form to complete and return to confirm that they have completed cleaning and disinfecting.
• Tell farmer if they need to carry out more tests while keeping restrictions in place.