ENNISKILLEN'S District Veterinary Office (DVO) has reported a notable increase in bovine tuberculosis (bTB) cases over the past three years, and over 200 cases this year.
Recent data provided by the Minister of Agriculture, Andrew Muir, revealed a steady rise in bTB cases within the Enniskillen DVO area from 2021 to 2023, with a slight reduction so far in 2024.
In 2021, there 295 cases, while in 2022 there were 377. In 2023, there were 463 cases, while this year there have been 215 cases reported, to date.
Minister Muir clarified that the data is managed by the Divisional Veterinary Office (DVO) boundaries, not by Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) Direct regional offices, which cover a broader geographic scope.
The surge in cases in the Enniskillen DVO underscores the need for intensified biosecurity measures, improved testing protocols, and closer collaboration between farmers and DAERA officials.
The Enniskillen DVO and the DAERA are expected to continue their efforts to manage and contain the spread of bTB, which poses a significant risk to livestock health and the livelihoods of local farmers.
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