DIVISION OF ANIMAL HEALTH 

 Walter F. Lewis, Director 



There can be no successful animal-related agriculture without the 

 ntrol and eradication of livestock disease. 



We have entered an unprecedented period of livestock history. 



!e demand and price for all types of livestock is at an all time high, 

 en discounting inflation. The next several years should offer an 

 ceptional economic opportunity, especially for established producers » 

 reign demand for our livestock is a very important factor in this un- 

 ual situation c It is very important that disease outbreaks do not 

 opardize these good opportunities. From time to time, over the years, 

 e Massachusetts legislature has seen fit to pass laws and then provide 

 nds that would help with this important job. This year was no exception. 



;berculosis and Brucellosis are probably the most important diseases since 

 ey can be transmitted in a number of ways, from diseased animals to 

 althy humans. 



UCELLOSIS CONTROL AND ERADICATION 



Brucellosis has been wiped out, thru depopulation, on one of the two 

 rms that were infected at the beginning of this year^ New infection was 

 scovered in a large herd; this was depopulated. Strict attention to 

 irveillances is important if we are to be spared further Brucellosis 

 : fection in our cattle herds. Mandr :ory calfhood vaccination should be 

 ' great help if field strain Brucellosis infection breaks out. 



IVINE TUBERCULOSIS 



Tuberculosis in man and bovine is seldom asen today in Massachusetts. 



has been controlled by guarding against entry of infected animals, 

 rong surveillance at slaughterhouses and the testing of thousands of 

 ttle every year. It was in this routine on the farm testing that TB 

 ised its ugly head in a small Middlesex County herd. Complete de- 

 pulation of this herd was being planned at year's end. Complete 

 sting of the entire bovine population on a regualar basis is essential 



control this disease. 



DG CHOLERA 



\ Fortunately another year has passed without an outbreak of hog 

 tiolera in Massachusetts and throughout the nation. On Jcinuary 31, 1978 

 tie country was declared free of hog cholera. This signaled the very 

 Important reopening of export opportunities for pork products. 



