News

Govt rejects reports of new BJD trace-forwards

James Nason 08/02/2013

The Queensland Government has rejected reports that up to 100 new properties could face possible movement restrictions if two cattle currently being tested for suspected Bovine Johne’s Disease in Queensland prove to be infected.

The Queensland Government is currently awaiting definitive test results on two animals on two different properties that tested positive to possible BJD infections on preliminary histology tests early in January.

Histology tests can produce false positives, and Biosecurity Queensland scientists are awaiting the results of more definitive faecal sample tests, expected any day, to determine if the animals have BJD.

A departmental insider recently indicated to Beef Central that NLIS assessments of possible trace-forwards from both properties contained the names of more than 100 properties that may be affected if BJD infections in both animals are confirmed.

Under Queensland's BJD control and eradication policy, herds that are believed to have been exposed to BJD-infected animals are placed under quarantine restrictions until testing can determine their BJD status. 

When asked to verify whether 100 possible trace-forwards had been identified from the new suspected properties, Biosecurity Queensland issued a response noting that “trace-forward assessments were being undertaken from the two suspect properties”, but full risk assessments could not be undertaken until it was clear whether the suspect animals were shedding BJD organisms.

The response did not address specific questions relating to whether as many as 100 new trace-forwards had been identified as indicated by the departmental insider, and did not advise how many possible trace-forwards had been identified or that the quoted figure of 100 possible trace-forwards was incorrect.

In response to media reports this week stating that departmental sources had indicated another 100 new trace-forwards may be possible if the two suspected properties test BJD positive, the Queensland Government issued a new statement on Friday to say that the number was not correct, and any likely trace-forwards if BJD was confirmed would be “substantially less”.

“At this stage testing has not been completed for the two suspect trace-forward properties,” Queensland agriculture minister John McVeigh said in a statement.

“Biosecurity Queensland has conducted preliminary trace-forward assessments for the two suspect properties, however a full risk assessment cannot be finalised until it is clear whether the suspect animals are shedding BJD organisms.

“The information presented in the report that there will be a need to quarantine hundreds of properties is incorrect. (* Point of clarification – Beef Central has not reported that there "will be a need to quarantine hundreds of properties’")

“Based on current information, if positive test results were received from the suspect properties, the figure will be substantially less.”

A spokesperson for the Australian Brahman Breeders Association said the association understood that neither of the two properties which tested positive to possible BJD on histology tests was a stud operation, which Beef Central has reported based on information provided by Government sources. That information checking that information with the department today. 

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