Cattle disease mycoplasma bovis found in North Island for the first time

December 12, 2017

It's been detected in the Hastings district, as well as three other properties in Winton, Southland.

The bacterial cattle disease mycoplasma bovis has reached the North Island after being found on four new farms, the Ministry for Primary Industries says.

One of the infected properties is in the Hastings district on the North Island, while the other three are in a Southland farming enterprise near Winton.

Another property in Ashburton is suspected of having the disease.

Agriculture and Biosecurity Minister Damien O'Connor says he is disappointed the disease has now made it to the North Island.

"We are still unable to identify the source of the disease and that concerns me [also]," he said.

Mycloplasma bovis was first confirmed in New Zealand on July 22 and the initial infected properties were Van Leeuwen Dairy Group farms.

This has led to 3500 animals so far being culled on the Van Leeuwen farms, while the MPI has completed 55,000 tests and followed up with 250 properties in a bid to trace the movement of the disease.

MPI director of response Geoff Gwyn says early indications are that the newly infected farms have links with the Van Leeuwen group through cattle movements.

"While it's really disappointing to have these new properties, it is not totally unexpected," he said.

"We know that this disease is spread through contact between animals and through the movement of stock."

The newly infected farms are now being quarantined with the movement of animals and goods from them restricted.

Mr Gwyn said while the MPI was attempting to trace the movement of animals between infected farms, mycloplasma bovis was not easy to detect as it often lay dormant in animals for weeks or months.

"Some cattle may be infected and never show signs of the disease," he said.

Mycloplasma bovis is found in cattle globally, including in Australia, and can cause udder infection, abortion, pneumonia and arthritis.

It poses no risk to humans or food safety and there is no concern about consuming milk products.

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