Bovine Tuberculosis Eradication Program

Abstract

As some of you know, we have been in the business of eradicating bovine tuberculosis since December 23, 1917. We have come a long way from a five percent reactor rate in CY 1918 to .08 percent in FY 1976. We must remember, however, that the early years of any program are the years that progress is more apparent. As the incidence of a disease declines, it becomes more and more difficult to locate and eliminate foci of infection. This is the situation at present in the tuberculosis eradication program. It has become difficult and very time-consuming to locate tuberculous cattle herds.