Brucellosis Frequently Asked Questions
The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development provides a list of frequently asked questions and answers about Brucellosis in order to improve the way in which we provide information to members of the public.
Brucellosis is a highly contagious disease of cattle caused by a bacterium which spreads through animals coming into contact with infected female cattle, aborted foeti or discharged placental tissues and fluids. The disease can lead to an abortion storm amongst infected females and if it becomes established can lead to decreased milk yields, infertility, weak calves and serious financial loss. The disease is particularly dangerous to humans who come into contact with infected animals or material.
Tests have helped reduce the level of infection to very low levels and enabled Northern Ireland to maintain the Officially Brucellosis Free (OBF) status of its herds within the European Union and thus meet essential criteria for trade. As the disease can be passed to humans who come into contact with infected materials there are also important public health reasons why the programme must be continued.
What blood tests are used?
There are currently three different laboratory blood tests that are used routinely in Northern Ireland. These are the SAT (serum agglutination test), the CFT (complement fixation test) and the EDTA (ethlyene diamine tetra acetic acid).
The SAT is used as the screening test for brucellosis. The CFT is regarded as one of the most sensitive for brucellosis and therefore any CFT reading at a test is regarded with great suspicion. The addition of EDTA to the SAT helps to distinguish cross-reactions to the SAT.
In addition, the recently introduced I-ELISA (Indirect - Enzyme Linked ImmunoSorbent Assay) blood test is being used in some high risk tests as an aid to detection of infection.
If my herd becomes infected with Brucellosis will it be depopulated?
This depends on several different factors and each case is looked at on an individual basis. The Veterinary Officer dealing with your breakdown will be the person who can best advise you on this matter. In some cases the herd may be depopulated.
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