Basic information about Tuberculosis reactor animals
Information related to Tuberculosis (TB) reactor animals.
What is a reactor?
A reactor animal is one that has failed the tuberculin skin test. If reactors are found in a herd, this is known as a herd TB ‘breakdown’.
Do all reactors have bovine TB?
Reactions to the tuberculin test can sometimes be caused by other Mycobacteria. It is impossible to find out in living animals whether the reaction is due to Mycobacterium bovis or another Mycobacterium. We slaughter reactors and pay compensation. Although this policy may seem wasteful, it has helped us reduce the disease in cattle in this country by removing animals which might have the disease and which could spread it to other animals and to people.
Throughout the country, Tuberculosis due to Mycobacterium bovis is confirmed in more than half of all herd breakdowns, as described in “How do I find out if my animal had TB?”
What happens when I have a reactor?
Your herd will be placed under movement restrictions and we will value and slaughter the reactors.
What happens to reactor animals?
Reactors will be slaughtered. You must isolate them from the rest of the herd until they are slaughtered. This will reduce the risk of them spreading bovine TB on your farm. The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) will examine the carcase to find out the extent of the infection within the animal.
