Bovine tuberculosis has been confirmed in South Dakota for the first time since 2021.

State officials say they’re narrowing in on identifying the herd the animal came from.

The infected steer was originally identified by meat inspectors in late October in a packing plant in Wisconsin. After searching records, officials determined the steer originated from a Hamlin County feedlot.

Beth Thompson is the state veterinarian. She said she is working closely with the feedlot owners, USDA officials, and local veterinarians to locate the steer’s source herd.

“We fairly quickly were able to get back to the feedlot here in South Dakota. So, what we are doing right now is working with the folks that had moved animals into that feedlot, and will be doing some follow-up testing. I think our first herd is probably being tested this week, and then it depends on the findings in that herd before we move out to other herds,” said Thompson.

Bovine tuberculosis is a chronic, slow progressing respiratory disease in cattle. Infected animals can transmit the infection to other animals when in close proximity.

Thompson said she is impressed with the efficiency of local state veterinarians’ response to the confirmation of the disease.

“It’s a matter of tracking that animal by its ear tag. It’s a matter of matching it up if there is any hair that is left after it has been processed. It’s a matter of talking to farmers and ranchers about what they know. Which animals came into this heard, all of that comes together. It’s a serious finding, but, the fact that we were able to track it so quickly, gives me a little bit of breathing room as state veterinarian,” said Thompson.

Thompson said bovine tuberculosis has been nearly eliminated across the United States. South Dakota has officially been recognized as effectively free from the disease since 1982.