Brucellosis is "rampant" in Co Limerick, according to Mr Michael Doody, Chairman of Limerick Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association, following a meeting with veterinary experts there yesterday. Mr Doody, who warned farmers to make every effort to ensure their animals are not infected, said that already this year more than 100 herds have been restricted in the State because of the disease.
"This provides a most dangerous reservoir of disease and I am calling on the department of Agriculture to be of more help to farmers in finding out the reasons for the outbreaks in herds which have a good record of being disease free," he said.
Last month the Southern Health Board issued a public health warning about the disease which can be passed to humans.