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Persistent TB problems in Cavan and Monaghan have been highlighted in quarter one TB figures for this year.
The Department of Agriculture said that an impact plan was in place in both counties and other areas across the country such as Clare and Wicklow which also had high incidences of TB.
A targeted impact TB plan is in place
Cavan and Monaghan are still particularly badly affected and this is thought to be linked with their proximity to the border, as Northern Ireland facing significant TB issues.
A targeted impact TB plan is in place in these areas and the Department has unrolled a badger vaccination programme in many parts of the country.
Department of Agriculture figures for the first quarter of the year show a “marked increase” in the national herd incidence for TB rising from a national herd incidence rate of 3.26% to 2.64%.
“This means that from 1 January to 29 March 2020, 3.26% (853) of 26,164 herds tested for bTB have had at least one animal test positive (an increase of circa 23%),” the Department said.
There was also a 49% increase in the number of TB reactors identified through a combination of skin testing and gamma inferno blood testing, with a total of 4,276 reactors in quarter one this year.
The Department said that all stakeholders were concerned and senior officials were reviewing national and regional trends in order to determine influencing factors.
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