Further Reading (Brucellosis)
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Scottish Executive Press Release: 20/02/03
Bovine brucellosis cases confirmed
The Chief Veterinary Officer today confirmed two
cases of bovine brucellosis in a Scottish beef herd, the first case
to be identified in Great Britain since 1993 and the first in Scotland
since the 1970s.
The cases were found in imported animals from
the Republic of Ireland which were traced by the State Veterinary
Service.
Brucellosis was confirmed following abortion of
the foetus on a farm in the Forfar area. The animals have been under
restriction since February 11.
Further surveillance and testing of cattle will
continue to ensure that the outbreak has been eradicated.
The Executive reminded farmers that they should
exercise great care in planning the purchase of livestock when re-stocking
herds, and that they are required by law to report all bovine abortions
and premature calvings to the local Animal Health Office.
Contact with infected discharges provides the
route of infection through beef cattle. The only humans at possible
risk are those in direct contact with livestock who are well aware
of the known occupational hazards.
Symptoms can include recurrent or chronic fever.
There is no risk from pasteurised milk, cooked meat or contact with
pasteurised animal products.
The local Public Health Department has been informed.
Brucella abortus has not been isolated from any
premises in Great Britain since October 1993, when it was linked
to imports of cattle from France.
Bovine brucellosis was eradicated from Scotland
in the 1970s.
Brucella abortus is a zoonotic disease causing
abortion in cattle and a variety of clinical syndromes in man. Bovine
brucellosis is a bacterial infection which can cause recurrent or
chronic fever in humans. Human infection follows the ingestion of
contaminated unpasteurised dairy products or following a direct
contact with infected material, such as blood, urine or vaginal
discharges. It is a known occupational hazard for farm workers and
veterinarians. Person to person transmission is rare.
The farm near Forfar is a mixed beef and sheep
enterprise which does not sell milk. Any risk to humans is through
direct contact with the aborted animal.
Farmers are required by law to report abortions
and premature calving to the local Animal Health Office. Similar
arrangements apply in England and Wales.
All cattle herds in GB are subject to routine
surveillance for brucellosis. Beef herds are blood sampled every
two years. Dairy cattle are monitored through regular milk testing.
EC Directive 64/432/EEC provides for control measures
in the country of export to prevent the export of brucellosis infected
animals. The breakdown in Scotland is being reported to the veterinary
authorities in the ROI and the European Commission. The CVO has
informed the EU by letter.
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