Five hundred cattle in seven herds in the Cavan/Longford area have been destroyed because outbreaks of brucellosis.
The Special Investigation Unit of the Department of Agriculture is now trying to find the source of the infectious disease, which causes abortion in cows. Thirteen herds remain restricted in the area.
This country is officially free of brucellosis, although in 1998 there were 860 cases. This year, the disease was not as prevalent. The number of cases was down to 417.
The disease, which infects several animal species, can spread to humans through contact with animals or animal products infected with Brucella bacteria. The symptoms caused in humans are similar to the flu, including fever, sweats, headaches, back pains, and physical weakness.
