This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Bovine TB
21/03/2007
The Executive has confirmed a significant outbreak of bovine TB in Girvan.
On January 25 2007, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in Northern Ireland notified SEERAD that a cow imported from Scotland had TB-like lesions at slaughter.
SVS staff at Ayr Animal Health Office traced the animal back to Enoch farm near Girvan and TB movement restrictions were served on the farm on January 26.
The cow was confirmed as TB culture positive on February 23. Results of further whole herd testing were received on March 19 at Ayr Animal Heath Office. As a result, 47 animals will be compulsorily slaughtered with compensation.
Cattle that have previously been moved on and off the farm are being traced, restricted isolated and tested where necessary.
There are no risks to health for the general population. There are no implications for the TB status of Scotland. The case again highlights the importance of good slaughterhouse TB surveillance as a way of supplementing the on-farm testing regime.
TB is caused by various species of bacteria called 'Mycobacteria'. Cases of bovine TB in humans are rare and usually only found in people who caught the infection abroad or in elderly people who probably caught the infection from drinking milk before pasteurisation was introduced. In Scotland, the sale of unpasteurised cows' milk has been prohibited since 1983.