The cow disease mycoplasma bovis has been found in Southland and Hawke's Bay.
Photo: Flickr user Cath S / CC BY 2.0
Since it was discovered in July, the crippling disease has been found on eight farms in South Canterbury and North Otago, prompting a cull of 4000 cattle.
The Ministry for Primary Industries said four new properties had been confirmed as infected, three in Winton in Southland, and one near Hastings.
They are the first infections outside of Canterbury and Otago.
A fifth property near Ashburton was also likely to be infected, the ministry said.
Its director of response Geoff Gwyn said the all the properties appeared to have links with the Van Leewen Dairy Group at the centre of the outbreak.
