Notice board

The new test initially replaced microbiological culture for tissue samples collected from the following:

•         TB slaughterhouse cases in cattle and non-bovines (animals routinely sent for private commercial slaughter which were found to have lesions suspicious of TB at routine meat inspection).

•         Non-bovine animals such as goats, pigs, and camelids that are removed as TB test reactors, direct contacts or clinical TB suspects, and cases where TB lesions are identified on post-mortem examination in a veterinary laboratory.

•         Domestic pets, such as cats and dogs, and exotic species of animals submitted to APHA for laboratory investigation.

The use of the PCR test will now be expanded to cover bTB samples taken from TB test positive cattle, direct contacts and compulsory or privately slaughtered or dead Inconclusive Reactors. The PCR test will be used on tissue samples collected at post-mortem investigation. This planned expansion of the use of the test will launch on 14 February.

Further information on the PCR test can be found on the TB Hub and gov.scot.