Brucellosis and tuberculosis testing and certification in cattle

Brucellosis and tuberculosis are important state controlled zoonotic diseases. Herds should be tested on a regular basis to determine the disease status. Individual animals are also tested before auctions or on the request of a buyer to ensure that the animals are free from disease. Brucellosis is tested by collecting a blood sample and sending it to an accredited laboratory for testing. Tuberculosis is tested by an intra-dermal test whereby tuberculin is injected into the skin of the animal and evaluating the response to the tuberculin 72 hours later.