Brucellosis in Northern Ireland (1950s)
The history of Brucellosis in Northern Ireland during the 1950s.
1950s
It became apparent during the 1950s that active infection was still present throughout the national herd and in 1959 a pilot eradication scheme was carried out on about 150 herds which were selling bottled, unpasteurised milk. All breeding cattle over 12 months of age were subjected to serum agglutination, whey agglutination and vaginal mucous tests at three-monthly intervals until three negative herd tests were obtained. Cattle judged to have positive titres were purchased at market value and slaughtered. The results of this scheme showed that:
- 70% of these herds were free from brucellosis;
- 23% of herds were positive but had no clinical disease;
- 9% of the animals were positive to the test;
- 7% of the herds had clinical disease with 33% of the animals in these herds positive to the test.
Once cleared of infection, herds within this scheme were subsequently blood tested at 12-monthly intervals and milk tested at six-monthly intervals. Movement into the herds was restricted to animals which were confirmed as Brucellosis free.
