As you may be aware from the recent media, MPI is investigating the cattle disease Mycoplasma bovis found in 170 cows in a dairy herd in South Canterbury. DairyNZ is supporting the Ministry and we will continue to provide updates to you.
MPI is working with the farmer to contain the disease to the affected farm and treat the animals showing symptoms. There is no stock movement from the property.
Early detection is key. If you’re not sure whether your animals are showing these symptoms, call your vet immediately.
Mycoplasma bovis disease:
- is a bacterial disease
- is commonly found in cattle all over the world, including in Australia, but this is the first detection of it in New Zealand. We were one of the last countries free of the disease - until now
- it does not infect humans and presents no food safety risk. There is no concern about eating meat, milk and milk products
- it does lead to serious conditions in cattle and therefore constitutes an animal welfare and productivity issue
- it spreads from animal to animal through close contact. Between farms it spreads through the movement of animals that are infected but not showing symptoms. It is also potentially spread on contaminated equipment and the feeding of untreated milk to calves. It is not windborne.
- while some of the conditions can be treated, affected cattle will always be carriers of the disease
- the disease does not affect sheep or cause illness in goats although it is thought goats could carry and transmit it.
How does it affect cows:
- untreatable mastitis in dairy and beef cows
- severe pneumonia in up to 30% of infected calves, starting as a hacking cough
- ear infections in calves, the first sign typically being one droopy ear, progressing to ear discharges and in some cases a head tilt
- abortions
- swollen joints and lameness (severe arthritis/synovitis) in all ages of cattle
- know the signs to look out for, download the poster
Latest news
- MPI Media update (8 September 2017)
- MPI Media update (29 August 2017)
- MPI Media update (23 August 2017)
- MPI Media update (7 August 2017)
- MPI Media update (4 August 2017)
- MPI Media update (1 August 2017)
- MPI Media update (31 July 2017)
- MPI Media update (28 July 2017)
Advice:
- Contact your vet if stock show unusual levels of mastitis, abortions or present with arthritis or pneumonia
- Call MPI on 0800 80 99 66 if you have any concerns
- Check the MPI website.
- Mycoplasma bovis guidelines - Updated guidelines for protecting your farm from Mycoplasma bovis. (pdf)
- Cleaning poster - Info to help you protect your farm from disease (pdf)
- Pre-purchase checklist (Mycoplasma bovis) (pdf)
- Mycoplasma bovis advice on using imported or local semen (pdf)
Biosecurity Measures
We've had some questions about the different notices that MPI can use to control the movement of animals and people on and off farm. These are the two notices that may come into effect:
Restricted Place Notice (RPN) issued under section 130 of the Biosecurity Act 1993… What is it?
- RPNs are issued to properties that are believed to have, or are suspected of having Mycoplasma bovis present.
- The RPN prohibits all unauthorised movements of stock and other risk goods onto and off the farm to minimise the likelihood of the disease spreading from the property.
- Any movement of cattle requires a permit from MPI.
- Transport vehicles are required to follow a cleaning and disinfection process when they leave a Restricted Place.
- AsureQuality staff are ensuring cleaning and disinfecting and permit protocols are being met.
- All incidents of non-compliance are followed up by MPI.
Notice of Direction (NoD) issued under section 122 of the Biosecurity Act 1993… What is it?
- NoDs are issued to farms when an inspector or authorised person considers that movement of stock and other risk goods from a property poses a risk of spreading Mycoplasma bovis. For example, this can be when animals from infected properties have been moved to that property but testing has not yet taken place or results of testing are pending.
- The NoD is aimed at preventing further spread and does not restrict movement of stock or goods on to the farm.
- Cattle can only move off the farm with a permit.
- Other steps such as cleaning and disinfection of vehicles may be required.
- All incidents of non-compliance are followed up by MPI.
