Bovine TB detected on Okanagan farm

Bovine tuberculosis has been discovered at a farm in the Okanagan region of B.C., the B.C. Cattleman's Association has confirmed.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency will only confirm a case has been found in B.C.

But Kevin Boom, the president of the B.C. Cattleman's association, told CBC News the case was traced to a farm in the Cherryville area east of Vernon.  The case was discovered in one of the farm's cattle after it was slaughtered in the U.S.

The farm has been quarantined to prevent the disease from spreading to other herds.

Bovine Tuberculosis is just like tuberculosis in humans. The infected lose their appetite; develop a fever and a painful hacking cough. It can not only spread to cattle but to people who come in contact with them.

The last outbreak of Bovine TB in 2007 lead to the slaughter of almost 500 cattle in B.C. and Alberta.