Ospri brings Bovine TB testing in-house
The move to bring bovine TB testing in-house at Ospri officially started this month, as a team of 37 skilled and experienced technicians begin work with the disease eradication agency.
Hunters sometimes come across bovine tuberculosis (TB) infected animals when hunting and may now know what to do about reporting or handling and disposing of these infected animals, says Simon Andrew, OSPRI general manager, disease management.
"To ensure hunters do the right thing when they kill a wild animal, whether it be a deer or pig, we're asking them to raise the alarm if they find something suspicious. What we've got to remember is that we're dealing with a disease that humans can catch. It's a form of TB which is detrimental to our health."
Andrew says there are a few simple steps hunters can take to reduce the risk of bovine TB spreading:
- Diseased animals must be left where they've been killed, and hunters must report the animal to the landowner.
- Minimise disease spread - never move a carcass to the next hunting site.
- If you suspect disease, take a picture if you can and note the location before sending the information to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
If you suspect a carcass is infected, call OSPRI on 0800 482 463.
