logo

Dangerous disease hits NZ cows

Print Friendly, PDF & Email
Share to Google Classroom

A dangerous disease has hit New Zealand’s cows and dairy industry.
The disease is Mycoplasma bovis and it is expected to cost around $1 billion to fix.
The disease was discovered in July last year and since then 41 farms have been confirmed as infected. That has since dropped to 37 farms, with more than 11,000 cattle slaughtered.
The bacterium causes illness in cattle, including udder infections, pneumonia and arthritis.
WHAT IS MYCOPLASMA BOVIS?
Mycoplasma bovis is a bacterial disease. It is commonly found in cattle all over the world, including in Australia, but this is the first detection of it in New Zealand.
We were one of the last countries free of the disease. It does not infect humans and presents no food safety risk.
There is no concern about eating meat, milk and milk products
It does lead to serious conditions in cattle and is spread from animal to animal through close contact.

40 Responses

  1. dear Guest 4
    Mycoplasma bovis is a bacterial disease. It is commonly found in cattle all over the world, including in Australia, but this is the first detection of it in New Zealand.

  2. i saw this on the News its sad the have to kill cows and they are from new Zealand #R.I.P Cows always be remembered

  3. It’s scary, just imagining eating the meat of these cows if the disease was already in the meat. I feel bad for the cows. Hopefully the government will do something about this.

  4. Everyone do not worry There will be a cure soon and I think that killing them wont work because of other cows coming from other countrys so we need to find a cure.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

1
In a bizarre incident in Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia,...
1
The Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards are back, and this year...
1
Twenty-six-year-old Kalpana Balan from India, has clinched a coveted spot...
1
At the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions expo...

World & National News

1
It is the time of year when people might be...
1
The world’s largest iceberg, A23a, is making its way through...
1
He Kāwanatanga, he Pirimia hou hoki tō Aotearoa. I te...
1
In a standout achievement, Morgan Wallen secured 11 wins at...