title: Epidemiology and management of a bovine brucellosis cluster in Northern Ireland.
abstract: An epidemiological investigation was undertaken of 41 bovine brucellosis outbreaks that occurred within a 10-month period, in a region where eradication measures appeared to be succeeding. The primary outbreak comprised three herds with significant within-herd spread and a high probability of multiple abortions. Direct contact between cattle at pasture was the most likely means of between-herd transmission for most (71%) outbreaks, with an attack rate of 28.1% in herds immediately neighbouring the primary outbreak herds and 11.3% in the next concentric ring of farms. Resolution of the incident was attributed to a rapid response by the veterinary authorities, detailed epidemiological investigations, repeated, prolonged testing of contact herds and employment of parallel testing.
authors.affiliation: Veterinary Epidemiology Unit, Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Room 921/3, Dundonald House, Newtownards Road, Belfast, Northern Ireland, BT4 3SB, United Kingdom. darrellabernethy@dardni.gov.uk
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Abernethy
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Moscard-Costello
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Dickson
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Harwood
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Burns
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: McKillop
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: McDowell
authors.forename: D U
authors.initials: DU
authors.lastname: Pfeiffer
mesh_terms: D000034:Abortion, Veterinary / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology; D000822:Animal Husbandry / Q000379:methods*; D000818:Animals; D002007:Brucellosis, Bovine / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission; D002417:Cattle; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary*; D018562:Disease Transmission, Infectious / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary; D005260:Female; D007494:Ireland / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy