Watch CBS News

200 Wis. Cows Die, Pneumonia Blamed

TOWN OF STOCKTON, Wis. (AP) -- A state official says the 200 cattle that died in Portage County this month were stricken by a form of pneumonia that presents no risk to humans.

Donna Gilson is with the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection. She says testing is continuing, but early results have ruled out a bovine virus that causes respiratory and reproductive problems in cows.

Gilson says the deaths were traced to a "production problem" on the Town of Stockton farm. She declined to elaborate.

She says there's no suspicion of a major animal disease that would need to be reported to authorities. She says nothing arose in the case that gave her department authority to investigate.

Gilson says reports of such die-offs aren't common but do pop up from time to time.

(© Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.