DOUGLAS COUNTY – State and federal agriculture officials are investigating a case of bovine tuberculosis in Douglas County, the Colorado Department of Agriculture announced Monday.
The case involves a bull sold to a meatpacking plant in San Angelo, Texas.
During routine inspection of the carcass, lesions were discovered in the bull’s lungs. The meat was isolated from the processing line, and no parts of the animal entered the food chain, officials said.
To prevent possible spread of the disease, five herds of about 660 cattle have been quarantined, officials said.
Bovine tuberculosis is spread primarily by respiratory aerosols being exhaled or coughed out by infected animals and can then inhaled by animals or humans. Although rare, it can infect humans.
