Three new properties positive for Mycoplasma bovis

“All three properties have links to existing infected properties, and this is an entirely expected pattern at this stage of the response,” MPI Response Coordinator David Yard says.

These latest detections bring the total number of infected farms to six.

“We fully expect to find more infected properties as we continue our tracing and testing programme. These detections are evidence of the programme working, not of unexpected disease spread.” Mr Yard says.

“All detections to date have links to the original infected properties via animal movements and have been caused by close animal contact. What is encouraging is that, despite intensive testing, no adjacent properties have as yet been identified as infected.

“We have no evidence of any means of disease spread other than close animal contact, at this stage. This includes the disease having jumped fences – which our scientists and vets tell us is highly unlikely to occur.”

Two of the newly identified properties are Van Leeuwen Dairy Group farms and were already under Restricted Place notices under the Biosecurity Act.

The third property was a trace farm that had received a small number of calves from the third infected farm confirmed last week. The property is a lifestyle block near Rangiora.

Mr Yard said MPI is continuing with its policy of not naming the affected properties if the owners did not want this.

Full information on hygiene measures and other resources are available at mpi.govt.nz