Bovine TB is the most infectious and most dangerous of three strains of tuberculosis, according to Bender. The disease was first discovered in an Alpena County cattle herd in June 1998. Since then, officials have found bovine TB in three additional cattle herds in northeast Lower Michigan. State policy calls for destruction of an entire cattle herd when any animals in it are infected. Because of hunter concerns and restrictions on deer baiting in northeast Lower Michigan, the number of deer hunters in the region was down significantly this year, and some business owners said it was their worst season ever.
Scientists believe the disease is originating in free-ranging deer.
Bender said years of heavy feeding and baiting of deer in northeast Lower Michigan have created populations that far exceed what the area would naturally support, and that as deer congregate and an infected deer coughs, sneezes or exhales, other deer become contaminated. Cattle become infected in fields where they may intermingle with contaminated deer. The state instituted restrictions on deer baiting and feeding this fall in an effort to disperse deer and control the spread of the disease. This fall's deer-head tests have revealed eight additional deer confirmed infected with bovine TB, and another 40 declared suspect and awaiting further testing. All three are awaiting final testing.