M. bovis rears its head again

Testing has identified that the strain of this infection is ST-21, the strain originally detected in 2017.

MPI says the find is unsurprising as they expected to identify more infected properties during spring testing.

“And it does not undermine our progress toward eradication,” MPI says.

“We are now halfway through the 10-year Eradication Programme and one confirmed infected property compares with 40 (at any one time) at the height of the outbreak in 2018.

“Our nationwide milk testing continues to operate well and shows no evidence of wider infection.”

The Mycoplasma bovis Eradication Programme is working with the farmer on a plan to depopulate the farm at Selwyn and is undertaking tracing of animal movements on and off the farm as per MPI’s normal practice.

“This work will help identify the likely source of the infection and any other farms it may have moved to.

“As with previous confirmed properties, we will likely see the number of farms under movement restrictions increase over the next few weeks as the programme looks for any possible infection.

“Our team will be in touch with any farms affected and experience tells us that in nearly all cases these restrictions will lift quickly.”

Although MPI continues to find less infection each year, it’s reminding farmers to follow good biosecurity practices and record all on-farm movements.

“Keeping accurate and up to date NAIT records helps the speedy tracing of animals and is the best way to keep M. bovis off farms,” it says.

Meanwhile MPI says the find does not affect development of the proposed National Pest Management Plan to manage M. bovis over the next few years.

It is encouraging farmers to have their say on proposals by 23 October.