Vorarlberg nears victory over bovine TB after mass testing and culling
Vorarlberg is close to declaring an all-clear in its battle against bovine tuberculosis (TB). Extensive testing and culling efforts have taken place across farms and wildlife populations over recent months. Authorities now believe the outbreak is under control, though some restrictions remain in place.
The investigation began after TB was detected in cattle, leading to lockdowns on 12 farms. The worst-affected areas included Feldkirch, Rankweil, and the Walgau valley. A total of 12,500 tests were carried out across 1,100 farms during the operation.
Twelve infected cattle were identified and euthanised for further testing. By January 7, the total number of culled animals had reached 67. The primary cause of infection in livestock was traced back to contact with TB-positive red deer during alpine grazing seasons.
Wildlife testing also revealed 52 infected red deer out of 921 examined in the 2025/26 hunting season. As a result, culling targets for deer in affected regions were increased by up to 30 percent. An additional 55 animals were culled on January 7 as part of herd depopulation efforts.
Six agricultural businesses still face movement restrictions due to lingering TB risks. However, no new farm lockdowns are anticipated as screenings near completion.
With testing almost finished, Vorarlberg expects to lift remaining restrictions soon. The outbreak response included widespread culling and stricter wildlife management measures. Officials will continue monitoring to prevent future cases from emerging.
