For immediate release: March 14, 2018         Media contact: Jessy Sielski, 517-284-5725

LANSING – On March 14, 2018, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development designated parts of Cheboygan, Iosco and Presque Isle counties as “Potential High-Risk Areas” for bovine tuberculosis.

The designation is a result of four free-ranging white-tailed deer testing positive for bovine TB, as confirmed by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. These deer were located in Alcona, Alpena, Montmorency and Presque Isle counties.

All impacted herd owners are being contacted by MDARD to schedule testing; and an informational meeting will be held at the following time and location to discuss the “Potential High-Risk Area” designation and the TB Program:

Thursday, March 29, 2018, at 7:00 p.m. 181 East Erie Street Rogers City, MI 49779

A “Potential High-Risk Area” is established when a free-ranging deer tests positive for bovine TB. This designation requires all cattle and bison herds located within a 10-kilometer (6.2 mile) radius of a bovine TB positive deer to be tested within six months. Cattle and bison herds are tested to ensure the disease has not spread from local deer to cattle or bison, which not only protects Michigan’s cattle industry, but also helps reassure Michigan’s trading partners that all necessary steps are being taken to protect the health of these herds.

More information on bovine TB can be found at www.michigan.gov/bovinetb.

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