Introduction
BRUCELLOSIS : Caused by Brucella Abortus or Brucella Melitensis; the disease is characterised by abortions in cattle, sheep, goats and pigs.
The law requires cattle keepers to report every abortion or premature calving to an appropriate officer (a Veterinary Inspector) as required by Article 10 of the Brucellosis (Scotland) Regulations 2000 and its equivalents in England and Wales.
An abortion or premature calving is defined as "an abortion or calving takes place less than 271 days after service, or 265 days after implantation or transfer of an embryo, whether the calf is born dead or alive." In the first instance you must report any bovine abortion or premature calving to the duty Veterinary Officer at your Divisional Animal Health Office.
Legislative Details
The Brucellosis (Scotland) Regulations 2000 are in force to help maintain the UK's Brucella Melitensis free status, as recognised by Commission Decision 93/52. Council Directive 91/68 requires sheep and goats imported into an officially free holding (i.e. into any flock or herd in the UK) to originate from an officially free holding, or from a free holding and be subjected to testing in isolation before the movement.
Ireland, Germany, Luxembourg, Belgium, Netherlands, Sweden, Denmark and Finland are also recognised as Brucella Melitesis free. We are required to carry out testing each year to demonstrate with 95% confidence that fewer than 0.2% of holdings are infected, or to test each year at least 5% of sheep and goats in the country over the age of six months.
Geographical Spread
Brucella Abortus in cattle is present in many countries including Ireland and several other countries of the European Union. Brucella Melitensis is prevalent in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern countries through Central Asia to China and southern areas of the former Soviet Union. Some areas of Africa and India, as well as Central and South America are affected.
Futher Information
The menu on the left leads to more information on the Brucellosis disease, it's clinical signs and the reporting methods for both abortions, premature calvings and normal calvings from imported cattle.