It has been reported by the U. S. Department of Agriculture that from now, B. C. cattle will be tested for brucellosis before leaving Canada if the animals are not destined for immediate slaughter south of the border.

The restriction was imposed by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency after three beef cows were tested positive for brucellosis at two farms in B. C. USDA has implemented this restriction just as a precaution.

At present, CFIA is taking blood samples from all the cattle on those two unidentified farms. The original samples from the U. S. will be retested by the CFIA. Results are expected in one week.

Brucellosis is a rare disease that affects wild and domesticated mammals. It causes cows to spontaneously abort their calves and was believed to have been eradicated in Canada 20 years ago.

The fever may be contracted by humans who consume unpasteurized milk or dairy products or through direct contact with the reproductive tissues of livestock infected by brucellosis. Symptoms include fever, weakness, sweats, headache and back pain.

All animals found to infected or exposed will be destroyed.

"We do have a protocol in place to eradicate the disease," said Kevin Boon, general manager of the B. C. Cattlemen's Association. "But for now this is an extra expense for an industry that is already losing dollars on every animal”.

However, the risk of transmission to humans through meat products is "negligible”.