Vermont became a “bovine [Tuberculosis] accredited-free state” on this day in 1979.

More than 60 years earlier Vermonters began statewide testing and slaughtering of cows infected with tuberculosis. Bovine TB, caused by bacterium, could spread TB to humans. The only way to stop TB in cattle was with constant testing for the disease.

Seventeen years into the program, Vermont tested all of its cattle and 30 percent tested positive and were destroyed. Just two years later, only .5 percent of the cattle were positive.

1979 became the landmark year of no positive cases. Even so, testing continues to this day.

The Vermont Book Of Days photo with special thanks to all Vermonters who help keep cows on our hillsides.