Originally from: Kittra
                        
19 Mar 2002 19:18
 UK finds signs of brucellosis in imported cattle

 LONDON, March 19 (Reuters) – Britain said on Tuesday five head of cattle imported from France in February had shown signs of the contagious livestock disease brucellosis.

 The affected cattle were among 44 animals imported to restock a farm in northern England hit by last year's foot-and-mouth disease epidemic, which led to the slaughter of millions of animals.

 Brucellosis -- not seen in Britain for 10 years -- is transmissible to humans, causing a condition called undulant fever, with symptoms similar to influenza.

 The main risk is to those people who have direct contact with cattle, mainly farmers.

 In cows, it often causes abortion and is especially contagious to other cattle during a birth or abortion.

 Britain's Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) said one of the animals had shown a positive reaction to tests for brucellosis and jad been slaughtered. None of the meat entered the food chain.

 The four other animals showed inconclusive results for the disease. All of the samples are subject to further testing.

 A negative result could take up to three weeks to confirm.

 DEFRA said officials are continuing to investigate whether the cattle consignment complied with European Union rules that were in place at the time of import.

 They are also checking that the animals did not come into contact with other cattle.

 Britain's animal health minister Elliot Morley said the suspect case was a timely reminder of the need for farmers to carefully plan their purchases, especially in light of the devastating foot-and-mouth epidemic.

 "While there are many factors to be taken into consideration when purchasing stock, controlling the risk of introducing disease needs to be a priority for farmers."
                        
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