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Health Care
Ireland is currently grappling with a significant surge in bovine tuberculosis (bTB) herd incidence, recording the highest rate seen in 15 years. According to the latest provisional figures published by the Department of Agriculture, the herd incidence rate has climbed sharply to 6.03% in 2024, surpassing previous yearly rates which hovered below 5% over the past decade[1].
This increase marks a dramatic escalation from the 4.89% herd incidence reported in 2023 and the 5.62% recorded during the third quarter of 2024. The rise is indicative of a growing number of cattle herds experiencing TB breakdowns—farms forced into restrictions due to confirmed infections within their herds[1].
Bovine tuberculosis is a chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium bovis, primarily affecting cattle but also transmissible to wildlife such as badgers and deer. The herd incidence rate refers to the percentage of cattle herds newly confirmed with TB over a rolling 12-month period. Elevated herd incidence signals increased infection spread within agricultural communities and has significant economic and biosecurity impacts.
One of the major contributors to the rise in bTB incidence is the ongoing infection in wildlife populations, particularly badgers and deer, which act as reservoirs capable of transmitting the disease back to cattle herds. Matt Hurley, chairperson for IFA Cork Central, emphasizes the critical need for the Department of Agriculture to intensify control efforts targeted at wildlife vectors, especially badgers[1].
Research has shown larger herds, dairy and suckler herds, and those with a previous history of TB breakdowns are more at risk for recurrent infections. Herd characteristics such as size and type influence the likelihood of uncovering reactors in follow-up tests, which complicates eradication efforts[3]. Larger herds have been found to disclose reactors more frequently, with dairy herds particularly vulnerable.
Aside from wildlife, direct cattle-to-cattle transmission remains a critical driver in the persistence of TB. Movements of infected cattle and biosecurity breaches contribute to disease spread among farms, especially in high-incidence areas[1][3].
Past disease outbreaks, such as the 2001 foot-and-mouth disease epidemic, affected TB testing and control programs. Interruptions in testing and cattle movements during such events have exacerbated the bTB problem over time[4].
The increased herd incidence has profound consequences for farmers:
Farm leaders have expressed growing concern over the scale of infections, describing the situation as “ruinous” for many businesses.
Ireland has long implemented a bovine TB eradication program involving:
The resurgence in herd incidence has intensified calls from farming bodies for more robust intervention in controlling infected badger and deer populations. Experts note the multifaceted nature of the problem demands integrated approaches that address wildlife reservoirs alongside cattle management[1][5].
Veterinary scientists stress the importance of leveraging real-time epidemiological data to tailor follow-up testing and resource allocation to high-risk herds. This approach can improve early detection and reduce prolonged breakdowns[3].
Certain counties such as Monaghan, Cork, and areas near the border have shown particularly high new restriction rates in recent months. These regional hotspots often coincide with higher badger densities and historical TB prevalence, complicating control efforts[1][4].
While Ireland grapples with rising rates, the overall situation contrasts somewhat with Northern Ireland, where TB levels have risen even more steeply, partly due to differing badger control policies. The Republic’s localized badger culling is thought to have helped manage incidence previously, but the current resurgence signals the need for evaluation and possibly expansion of such measures[4].
Comparisons with Great Britain and continental Europe highlight how wildlife reservoirs and cattle management strategies influence the differing prevalence rates across these regions[4][5].
Ireland’s bovine TB herd incidence hitting a 15-year peak presents a significant challenge to the country’s agriculture sector. The surging numbers of reactors and restricted herds underscore the complex interplay of wildlife reservoirs, herd vulnerabilities, and transmission dynamics. This resurgence threatens farmers’ livelihoods and calls for urgent, intensified measures to control the disease. With informed policies incorporating epidemiological expertise and robust wildlife management, there is hope that Ireland can curb this upward trend and move closer to eradicating bovine TB.
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