MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Bovine TB outbreak quarantines 20% of Magallanes herd

An outbreak of bovine tuberculosis has forced Magallanes Region in the extreme south of Chile to declare quarantine in 48 paddocks belonging to twelve farms. The number of cattle involved is 30.000 head which is a considerable percentage of the 180.000 herd of the region according to the 2007 census.

Chile's Agriculture and Livestock Service, SAG, imposed the measure and announced the intensification of a program to eliminate the zoonosis which will begin to be implemented next month. Bovine TB is a highly contagious animal disease which basically affects the respiratory system and is of mandatory denunciation. It is transmitted directly from animal to animal and can also affect human beings. Several animals from the 48 paddocks tested positive and that "is why we have decided on the intensive quarantine", reported Carlos Rowland head of SAG Magallanes. During a meeting with farmers and veterinarians Rowland presented Chile's head of the Bovine TB Eradication Program, Luis Paredes Noack who flew to the region for a personal inspection of the situation. "This is a complicated situation but in Magallanes and Tierra del Fuego we are working for the eradication of bovine TB, and we should be the first to achieve such a goal", underlined Rowland who revealed that infected animals will be terminated. Paredes Noack said that bovine TB is present in all Chilean provinces with very rare and limited outbreaks and the official program, launched in 2003, is to eliminate the problem nationwide by 2017/2025. "This is virtually the average time period it took Italy and other countries to eliminate the disease". "Magallanes region is doing its utmost to eradicate the disease and is an example of joint work between officials and farmers. We're confident that as the first Chilean region to eliminate bovine brucellosis, we'll be the first also with bovine TB", emphasized Rowland. As to the immediate consequences of the outbreak Rowland said that milk and dairy produce testing and monitoring will be intensified, and "probably will be made extensive to beef. We're already working with the abattoris". Rowland recalled that outbreaks such as these not only have a negative impact for livestock, farmers but also expose the reputation of Chile as a provider of healthy produce, particularly in such demanding markets as the European Union, United States and Russia.