This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Bovine brucellosis case confirmed
02/12/2003
The Executive today confirmed a case of bovine brucellosis in a Scottish beef herd.
The case was identified during post-import blood testing undertaken by the State Veterinary Service on a heifer imported from the Republic of Ireland.
Other animals on the importing farm have been placed under restrictions and further surveillance and testing of cattle will continue to ensure that the disease does not become established.
The case is unrelated to the cases confirmed on four Scottish farms earlier this year.
The Executive reminded farmers that they should exercise great care in planning the purchase of livestock and where possible not source livestock from high risk areas. They should also ensure that all bovine abortions and premature calvings are reported to the local animal health office.
For humans, the main risk is to those in direct contact with infected livestock: 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.
Prior to the confirmation of brucellosis on four premises in Scotland earlier this year, brucellosis abortus had not been isolated from any premises in Great Britain since October 1993, when it was linked to imports of cattle from France. .
Brucellosis 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 involved in this incident runs beef cattle and does not sell milk. Any risk to humans is through direct contact with the affected animal.
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.