The Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) is investigating a possible connection to a case of bovine tuberculosis (TB) on an infected dairy herd in New Mexico. The animal’s 840 RFID is a Washington tag, but there are no records linking her to Washington. This prompted WSDA’s veterinarians to take precautionary measures and identify and test animals from Washington that have been imported into the NM dairy in the last year. Washington has been TB-free for decades, and there are no confirmed cases of TB in Washington cattle or wildlife.

The cow’s tags trace back to a single Washington producer, who is fully cooperating with our veterinarians to complete the required testing.  The premises is currently under temporary quarantine. Because the animal’s records are incomplete and may be inaccurate, we do not know if this cow originated in Washington, when it entered the herd, or where it came from.

At this time, only one Washington producer, is under temporary quarantine while WSDA completes whole-herd testing. This is not an outbreak. These precautionary steps are part of WSDA’s routine work to protect animal health and maintain Washington’s TB-free status.

It is important to note:

• This is an animal health issue, not a human health issue.
• There is no risk to the food supply. Meat and milk remain safe, and any animal that tests positive or is found to have lesions will not enter the food chain.
• Washington’s TB-free status remains intact, and WSDA is taking proactive steps to ensure it stays that way.

WSDA’s field veterinarians are already on the ground, working directly with the producer to conduct testing and ensure a thorough investigation.

The producer involved is cooperating fully, and we will lift the quarantine once testing is complete. This situation also highlights the importance of accurate records and documentation.  IN addition, ensuring the animals on the CVI are the ones that get on the truck to the destination are critical for animal traceability and rapid response in disease investigations.

Washington producers, veterinarians, and consumers can be confident that WSDA is doing the work needed to protect animal health, safeguard the food supply, and preserve Washington’s TB-free status.