Quarantine was lifted on two British Columbia farms after their animals tested negative for brucellosis.The Canadian Food Inspection Agency placed the two farms under quarantine in May after three beef cows reacted positively to brucellosis during a routine test at an American slaughter plant.Samples from the original animals were retested at a Canadian laboratory using specific tests for brucellosis. The tests found that the first tests were wrong and likely caused by another bacterium known to create false-positive test results.After the suspect cases were discovered, the United States Department of Agriculture placed temporary import restrictions on cattle and bison to the United States from B.C.All sexually intact cattle and bison that have lived in B.C. since March 25, 2010, must test negative for brucellosis before being exported to the U.S.CFIA has shared the findings with its American counterparts and is working on lifting the temporary restrictions.The positive brucellosis results shocked the cattle industry because Canada was declared brucellosis free in 1985. During the 1950s and 1960s, federal veterinarians tested cattle for the disease and euthanized positive animals.Brucellosis can cause undulant fever in humans, but is rare in Canada. Avoiding unpasteurized dairy products and careful handling of infected animals and their tissues can prevent human infection.
Quarantine lifted, animals test negative for brucellosis
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