Tenn. Dept. of Agriculture monitoring unknown illness in dairy cattle

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) - Officials with the Tennessee Department of Agriculture announced they were monitoring an unknown illness effecting dairy cattle in Texas.

“Affected cows are experiencing decreased rumen motility and loss of appetite, followed by decreased milk production,” officials said. “Other symptoms are secondary and vary from abnormal feces to respiratory disease and fever.”

Officials said the disease did not seem to be deadly nor has it impacted beef cows.

Milk from the impacted cattle was not entered the food supply out of caution but there was no evidence that the illness was contagious to people or other animals through contact.

No cases were detected in Tennessee yet but officials wanted to remind cattle producers to quarantine new animals for at least two weeks.

If you see signs of illness in your cattle, officials asked you to contact your vet. If veterinarians see signs of an illness in cattle with no clear reason, they are asked to contact the Tennessee State Veterinarian’s office at 615-837-5120.

Editor’s note: A previous version of this story stated the Department of Agriculture was investigating the illness. The department has not begun an investigation, but is monitoring the situation. The story has been updated to reflect this.