FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE from the Wyoming Livestock Board
Brucellosis Identified in Park and Sublette County Cattle Herds
Routine brucellosis surveillance testing has identified brucellosis affected cattle herds in both Par
and Sublette Counties. Laboratory testing was conducted at the Wyoming State Veterinary
Laboratory (WSVL), Laramie, and results were confirmed at the National Veterinary Services
Laboratory, Ames, Iowa. Both herds are located within Wyoming’s Brucellosis Designated
Surveillance Area (DSA). With the addition of these herds, WLSB currently has three herds in
Park and one herd in Sublette County under quarantine for brucellosis.
Both affected herds have been quarantined following confirmation of test results. No contact herd
quarantines are anticipated. The affected herds are currently participating in serial testing to meet
the requirements for quarantine release. Testing of affected herds is a cooperative effort between
herd owners, private veterinary practitioners, Wyoming Livestock Board (WLSB) personnel, and
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
(APHIS), Veterinary Services (VS) personnel.
Identification of brucellosis positive cattle is not uncommon within Wyoming’s DSA, where a
brucellosis reservoir in wildlife occasionally spills over into cattle. Required brucellosis
surveillance for specified cattle in the DSA includes testing prior to leaving the DSA, and within
30 days prior to change of ownership.
Dr. Teckla Webb, WLSB Assistant State Veterinarian – Field Operations, acknowledges the
difficult situation faced by owners of affected herds. “We sincerely appreciate the cooperation
from producers and veterinarians within the DSA,” says Dr. Webb. “All affected herds are required
to use electronic identification device (EID) eartags, and all data is submitted electronically,
ensuring accuracy and efficiency for disease reporting. The majority of our DSA veterinarians
have been using EID tags for almost a decade when performing brucellosis official calfhood
vaccinations and routine brucellosis surveillance testing, which has significantly enhanced the
accuracy and traceability of our brucellosis data.”
Dr. Webb extends her thank you to all Wyoming’s DSA cattle producers and veterinarians. “The
tireless attention to brucellosis mitigation and testing is vital to maintaining Wyoming’s brucellosis
free state status,” explains Dr. Webb. “The added cooperation of the Wyoming Game and Fish
Department and WSVL in brucellosis surveillance and diagnostics significantly enhances our
mitigation program when presenting data to states receiving Wyoming cattle.”
Wyoming’s comprehensive brucellosis mitigation program includes testing and vaccination for
brucellosis. In the state of Wyoming, sexually intact heifers must be vaccinated for brucellosis by
one year of age. In addition, heifers residing in Wyoming’s DSA that are brucellosis vaccine
eligible (4 months of age or older) must be brucellosis vaccinated by February 1 each year.
For further information, please contact the Wyoming Livestock Board, 307.777.7515, email
lsbbrucellosis-mitigation@wyo.gov, or call the Wyoming State Veterinarian, Dr. Hallie Hasel,
307.840.1389.

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