The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has launched a disease investigation on two farms in British Columbia, after three beef cows from these premises were classified as “reactors” on brucellosis tests done during routine slaughter testing in the United States.

While brucellosis can cause a disease in humans called “undulant fever”, human cases are rare in Canada. Sanitary practices in slaughterhouses and pasteurization of milk are effective in preventing the vast majority of human cases of brucellosis. Human infection can be prevented by avoiding unpasteurized dairy products (e.g. milk, cheese) and by careful handling of infected animals and their tissues.

As a precautionary measure, animals on both farms have been placed under quarantine, and are being tested for brucellosis.

For more information about the investigation, click here.