Brucellosis team plans meetings in Worland, Lovell

The status of brucellosis in Wyoming, producer requirements for transport or selling and liability and reports on a new test for the disease are among topics at February meetings in Worland and Lovell presented by members of the Governor’s Brucellosis Coordination Team.

The first is the afternoon of Feb. 15, during WESTI Ag Days in Worland, said Bruce Hoar, coordinator of brucellosis research at the University of Wyoming. WESTI Ag Days is Feb. 14 and 15 at the Worland Community Center, 1200 Culbertson Ave.

The team then meets 10 a.m. Friday at the Lovell Community Center, 1925 US 310, he said. Lunch is available following the meeting.

Hoar will give a background on the disease to start the meetings followed by producer responsibilities by a representative from the state veterinarian’s office and researcher Brant Schumaker of the Wyoming State Veterinary Laboratory will provide an update on current testing and progress of a new brucellosis test his team is developing.

If successful, the much-more-accurate novel molecular assay (polymerase chain reaction) test could replace culture testing.

The team will also address finding elk positive for brucellosis in the Bighorn Mountains.

“I think the fact that seropositive (blood test) elk have been found in the Bighorn Mountains over the past five years raises a concern by the Wyoming Livestock Board and the University of Wyoming,” said Hoar. “We want producers to have accurate, up-to-date information they may not be aware of.”

For more information, contact Hoar at 307-766-3372 or at [email protected].