Parts of Cheboygan, Iosco and Presque Isle counties have been designated as potential high-risk areas for bovine tuberculosis by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.

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. An informational meeting will be at 7 p.m. March 29 at 181 E. Erie St. in Rogers City to discuss the “potential high-risk area” designation and the TB program.

An area is designated as potentially high risk when a free-ranging deer tests positive for bovine TB. This designation requires all cattle and bison herds located within a 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 michigan.gov/bovinetb.

Source: MDARD