Minimising the risks from Mycoplasma bovis at cattle
shows and events
The risk of Mycoplasma bovis being spread at shows and events is relatively low, but until tracing is completed it is
still a potential risk. Animals on known infected farms are under movement control, and cannot be moved without
MPI’s permission. Mycoplasma bovis infection is mainly spread by close animal contact. There are some simple
precautions, recommended by MPI, that you can take to minimise the risks of Mycoplasma bovis being spread.
What is Mycoplasma bovis?
Mycoplasma bovis is a bacterium that can cause a range of quite serious conditions in cattle including mastitis t hat
don’t respond to treatment – pneumonia, arthritis and late-term abortions.
The disease may be dormant in an animal causing no disease at all. But in times of stress (for example, calving,
drying-off, transporting, or being exposed to extreme weather) it may shed bacteria in milk and nasal secretions. As
a result, other animals may be infected and become ill or carriers themselves.
It does not infect humans and presents no food safety risk. It is an animal welfare and productivity issue.
This is the first time it has been found in New Zealand. The bacteria is an Unwanted Organism under the Biosecurity
Act 1993.
What can exhibitors do?
Animals showing clinical signs of ANY disease should not be transported to the event, as per normal
biosecurity practice.
Make sure your cattle are tagged and registered with NAIT.
Keep your NAIT movements up-to-date and accurate and record movements to the event if you have steers,
or to AND from the event if your are bringing heifers.
Provide cattle with individual water - don’t allow your animals to drink from troughs that belong to other
cattle exhibitors.
Practice good on-farm biosecurity and clean and disinfect outer wear, boots and equipment before
attending a show. On your return, clean and disinfect again before taking outer wear, boots and equipment
back onto your farm. For more information refer to the guidance on http://mpi.govt.nz/protection-and-
response/responding/alerts/mycoplasma-bovis/
What will the FBNZ ‘Hoof & Hook’ organizers will be doing?
Animals from properties under suspicion of exposure to Mycoplasma bovis will not be able to attend the
‘Hoof & Hook’ competition.
Will be checking and scanning all animals for NAIT tags on arrival and sending online requests to owners to
log their NAIT movements to the event if they have not done so already.
Provide hand sanitiser for cattle judges and anyone else likely to be handling the heads of animals from
different properties.
Ensure that exhibitors are aware of the farm biosecurity and hygiene recommendations and their NAIT
obligations.
The information and recommendations above are based on the information
publically released from MPI, current as of 12 April 2018.
FUTURE BEEF NEW ZEALAND
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