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21 February 2003Bovine Brucellosis in Angus, Scotland confirmed 20th February 2003(Filed 21/02/03)© www.land-care.org.uk Bovine brucellosis has not been seen in Scotland since 1973 and in England since 1993. The cattle with proven brucellosis in Scotland have been traced back to heifers imported from the Republic of Ireland (1, 2). Other cattle that had been imported into England from Northern Ireland are under close supervision (presumably with a movement restriction order) as they had come from a Northern Ireland herd that had an outbreak of brucellosis. The management of the Scottish outbreak and of the suspect cattle in England can be followed on the SEERAD and DEFRA websites. Guidance to Farmers about brucellosis is given in a leaflet provided by DEFRA (3). Brucellosis can affect humans. Which humans are at risk and a description of the disease in humans is described on the Centers for Disease Control (USA) website (4, click here to view). In telephone discussion with Land-Care, Sandy Clark (Scottish Chairman of the British Veterinary Association) said it is unfortunate this had occurred considering the amount of money the government has spent over the last 50 years eradicating brucellosis. This proves that the government has not learned from the FMD outbreak, as sufficient measures are not in place to protect our own farmers from the diseases of other countries. Mr Clark thinks that there should be more stringent controls on animal imports from countries that have diseases we don't. The open border policy of the EU is a big problem and could result in diseases such as bluetongue coming to the UK. Both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland have tuberculosis and brucellosis yet the UK still allows imports from both countries. There should be stringent controls in place to prevent these diseases coming into the UK. Mr Clark also said that there should be more controls at the borders between England, Scotland and Wales, as there are a few cases of TB in the South of Scotland that resulted from restocking with cattle from England. Mr Clark also felt, but did not know why, the matter was being played down. The Scottish Executive has stressed there is no danger to the health of the general public from the confirmed cases because the farm does not sell raw milk and the disease cannot be passed through meat products or pasteurised milk (5). Farm staff who handled the infected animals would need to be kept under clinical surveillance (4). The Executive has advised the EU on the incidence of the disease and the country of origin. © www.land-care.org.uk
References1. DEFRA News release, 20th February
2003. Cull of Livestock in the light of brucellosis cases in Scotland. 2. Scottish Executive Press Release,
20th February 2003. Bovine brucellosis cases confirmed. 3. DEFRA (2001). Brucellosis:
A reminder for all Cattle Farmers. 4. Centers for Disease Control.
Division of Bacterial and Mycotic Diseases: Disease Information
- Brucellosis (www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/brucellosis_g.htm).
5. Arbuckle, Andrew (2003). Action
Demanded as Brucellosis Found in Angus. Dundee Courier, 21 February
2003. |