This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Suspected Bovine TB outbreak
14/07/2004
A significant outbreak of bovine TB is likely to be
confirmed on a farm near Stranraer in the next few
days.
Initial tests in a beef herd, belonging to John R Howie
of Auchentibbert, Sandhead, near Stranraer, have resulted
in 47 positive reactions and one inconclusive result among
183 cows tested.
Reactors and dangerous contacts within the herd will be
compulsorily slaughtered with compensation. Post mortem
tests will also be conducted. No decisions will be taken on
the remainder of the herd until all remaining test and
post-mortem results are known.
The Executive believes there are no risks to health for
the general population.
Any farm workers who have been in direct contact with
infected animals will be assessed for risk of exposure and
will be offered screening for TB by medical staff according
to standard national protocols, if indicated.
Tracings on and off the farm are being investigated.
There is, as yet, no indication of where the infection
originated. Movement restrictions have been placed on the
affected farm. Contiguous premises will also be tested.
The infection came to light when five of 13 animals from
the farm sent for slaughter were found to have lesions
consistent with bovine TB.
Carcasses of animals over 30 months old from TB affected
herds are disposed of via the over 30-month scheme. Meat
from under 30-months cattle may enter the food chain
subject to veterinary inspection by the Meat Hygiene
Service.
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 it abroad or
elderly people, who probably caught it from drinking milk
before pasteurisation was introduced. In Scotland, the sale
of untreated cow's milk has been prohibited since 1983.
It is also possible that some cases may have occurred in
people working closely with infected animals. There is no
direct evidence that people have actually caught the
disease this way, but the risk to farmers and others in
frequent close contact with cattle is well recognised.
Guidance is provided by the Health and Safety
Executive.
TB cases in Scotland have increased from four new
confirmed incidents in 2000 to a provisional figure of 22
new confirmed incidents in 2003, and this would be the 10th
new confirmed incident in cattle so far in 2004. The
Executive has recently consulted on a British strategy for
bovine TB.
Since 1996, no cattle in the UK aged over 30 months have
been permitted to go for human consumption as a public
health measure in response to the BSE situation. The only
exceptions to this have been a small number of cattle from
specialist breeds under the Beef Assurance Scheme.