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Tuberculosis Detected In Dairy Cow Headed To Slaughter

SAN BERNARDINO (AP) — State and federal officials say bovine tuberculosis has been detected in a dairy cow from a Southern California herd during a routine slaughterhouse inspection.

Officials with the California Department of Food and Agriculture and the USDA said Tuesday the cow was traced to a San Bernardino County dairy and other animals in the herd are being tested as well.

USDA spokesman Larry Hawkins says more cases have been detected in that herd but the disease poses no risk to humans or the milk supply.

Hawkins says cows that are found to have the disease will be killed and milk sold in California is pasteurized, which kills tuberculosis organisms.

He didn't know how many animals tested positive for the disease.

The last known case of bovine tuberculosis in California was in 2009.

(© Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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