Florida Administrative Code
5 - DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES
5C - Division of Animal Industry
Chapter 5C-7 - BOVINE TUBERCULOSIS
Section 5C-7.020 - Infected Herds; Quarantine, Retests, Epidemiological Survey, and Slaughter

(a) When any animal in a herd reacts to the tuberculin test or is otherwise determined to be infected with tuberculosis, the herd and premises will be immediately placed under quarantine. Said quarantine will continue until the entire herd has passed a negative tuberculin test at least 60 days after the date on which infection was disclosed. If lesions of tuberculosis are found at slaughter in one or more reactors, or if lesions of tuberculosis are found at slaughter in animals directly traceable to the herd, two negative tests at intervals of not less than 60 days will be required for release of quarantine. During the quarantine, no animals may move onto or from the premises except under authority of a permit. Two complete annual herd tests will be conducted after release from quarantine; the first will be administered approximately one year after quarantine release.

(b) All animals classified as reactors will be immediately branded on the left jaw with the letter "T" not less than two (2) inches in height and will be tagged in the left ear with an official TB reactor tag as provided in 9 C.F.R. 77.5(a)(1).

(c) A complete epidemiological survey will be made by appropriate state or federal personnel on all herds in which reactors are disclosed.

(d) When the presence of M. bovis has been confirmed by culture, depopulation of the herd remains the procedure of choice. Otherwise, the herd will remain under quarantine until it has passed two negative tuberculin tests at intervals of not less than 60 days and one additional negative tuberculin test not less than six months after the second negative 60-day test. Five annual tests on the entire herd will be administered following the release from quarantine.

(e) Cattle, bison or dairy goats that react to a test will be immediately segregated from all non-reacting animals. They will be maintained in strict isolation at the owner's expense until moved for slaughter under authority of a permit. No animal may be retested if at any time it has been designated as a reactor.

(f) All premises where reactors have been disclosed will be cleaned and disinfected under the supervision of a representative of the department within 15 days after the removal of the reactors and exposed animals.

(g) Dairies, milk. The use of tuberculosis reactor cattle or dairy goats in dairies is strictly prohibited and the milk and milk products of a reactor shall not be sold nor shall it be used for human consumption or for consumption by other animals.

(a) Herd Quarantine. All herds in which reactors are disclosed will be quarantined. Reactor or exposed animals must remain on the premises unless a permit for movement has been obtained. If a change in destination becomes necessary, a new permit must be prepared. Movement for immediate slaughter must be directly to a slaughtering establishment where state or federal inspection is administered.

(b) Reactors. All animals classified as reactors shall be immediately branded on the left jaw with the letter "T" not less than two (2) inches in height and will be tagged in the left ear with an official TB reactor tag as provided in 9 C.F.R. 77.5(a)(1).

(c) Exposed Animals. Animals must be identified by an official eartag. Use of "S" brand as prescribed in 9 C.F.R. 77.5(b)(1) is required, or animals must be shipped in a sealed vehicle.

(d) Epidemiological Investigation. Disclosure of tuberculosis in any herd shall be followed by a complete epidemiological investigation. All cervidae in herds from which tuberculosis infected livestock originate, and all cervidae that have been exposed to affected cervidae or other affected livestock, will be tested promptly. Epidemiologic investigations will be made on adjacent and contact herds as well as on possible source herds for the affected herd. Herds that have received exposed animals will also be tested. Every effort will be made to ensure the immediate elimination of the disease from all species of domestic livestock on the premises.

(e) Testing procedures.

(f) Isolation of Reactors. Cervidae that are classified as reactors will be immediately segregated from all non-reacting animals and will be maintained in strict isolation at the owner's expense until moved for slaughter under authority of a permit. If a change in destination becomes necessary, a new permit must be prepared. No animal may be retested if at any time it has been designated as a reactor.

(g) Cleaning Premises. All premises, where animals reacting to the tuberculin test have been found, will be cleaned and disinfected under the supervision of a representative of the department within 15 days after the removal of tuberculosis affected or exposed animals.