Slight increase in TB incidence rates in herds across England

Written by William Kellett

Defra has published it’s quarterly statistics on tuberculosis (TB) in cattle in Great Britain.

In England overall, the herd incidence rate for the 12 months to end March 2021 was 9.5, an increase of 0.1 on the previous 12 months.

Between March 2020 and March 2021, the herd prevalence rate remained constant in the High Risk Area of England, but increased in both the Edge Area and Low Risk Area.

In Scotland, which has had officially TB-free (OTF) status since 2009, herd incidence and herd prevalence rates remain very low and stable.

In Wales herd incidence remained constant but herd prevalence increased slightly between March 2020 and March 2021.

The total number of animals slaughtered due to a TB incident in England in the 12 months to March 2021 decreased 6% on the previous 12 months to 28,356.

In Wales the number slaughtered was 10,258, a decrease of 11%.

Tensions rise at UFU meeting


Tensions were said to have “run very high” during a meeting this week on bovine TB between the chief vet of Northern Ireland and Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) executive committee members.

During the meeting, which was to discuss the effects of bovine TB, the union threatened to withdraw its cooperation with the department’s veterinary service, accusing it of “inaction” over the disease.

A statement from the union explained that on Wednesday evening (June 16) its executive committee met with Northern Ireland’s chief veterinary officer and his team online.

“During the discussion, UFU members were very open about their dissatisfaction regarding the extent of DAERA’s inaction with TB,” it read.

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[CHH]

Obviously there are many risk factors for the spread of bTB, but one, namely in house feeding and particularly addition of meal to silage, demands explanation. Farmers report that badgers rarely visit or gain access to farm buildings. It is, however, conceivable that rats could be the vectors responsible. A report circa 20013 found that of nine cats infected with bTB, seven either had bite marks on limbs or were likely to have sustained bites, which could well have been inflicted by rats. They are known to be susceptible to bTB and to frequent silage clamps. Furthermore, nose to nose contact between cattle appears not to provide adequate explanation for the risk of breakdown associated with the presence of bTB on adjacent farms. Again, spread by rats could be responsible. It would appear this line of enquiry should be considered.