How we trace cattle movements
When infection is confirmed on a property, we begin the process of tracing cattle movements on and off that property. We look at cattle movements:
- onto the property to try to identify how the infection arrived onto the farm
- off the property during and just before what we think the infection risk period is, so we can track if the infection has spread off the farm.
Types of traces
There are 2 types of traces – a forward trace and a backward trace.
- A forward trace is where cattle have moved off an infected farm during the risk period of likely infection. The farms that those cattle have moved to are assessed to see if they need to be placed under restrictions while testing is done to determine if the infection has spread there.
- A backward trace looks at cattle that came on to the property before and during the time it was infected (so could have been the source of the infection).
How is tracing carried out?
We find most of our traces through:
- NAIT (National Animal Identification and Tracing) records
- records kept from confirmed infected properties
- reports from farmers who have a movement that is not recorded in NAIT.
Who to contact
If you have questions about Mycoplasma bovis:
- freephone MPI on 0800 00 83 33
- email info@mpi.govt.nz
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