Brucellosis

In this section you can find out more about Brucellosis – one of the British Veterinary Association’s (BVA) past issues

Background

Brucellosis of cattle

is known as contagious abortion
is caused by infection with the bacteria Brucella abortus, which can also cause a disease in humans known as undulant fever
is a notifiable disease eradicated in cattle in Great Britain in 1979, although since then it has been reintroduced on several occasions by imported cattle

Brucellosis melitensis

is a bacterial disease which can affect most species of domestic animals but sheep and goats are most susceptible
is also a notifiable disease

If you suspect signs of Brucellosis you must immediately notify your Divisional Veterinary Manager.

In 2007 that Government announced that as from April 2007 routine two-yearly blood testing of beef animals for brucellosis would be withdrawn.

What the BVA has done

The BVA, through the then President David Catlow, responded to the Government announcement by saying that the decision to end testing could be the final nail in the coffin for some rural veterinary practices.

BVA also expressed the veterinary profession’s concerns over the ineffective communication of this change in policy.