§ Lord Cledwyn of Penrhosasked Her Majesty's Government:
What steps they are taking to deal with the disease of Leptospirosis in farm and domestic animals; what 480WA evidence there is that the disease is spreading; and what threat it poses to humans.
The Minister of State, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Earl Ferrers)For some years research into Leptospirosis has been carried out at the Ministry's Central Veterinary Laboratory at Weybridge and the Department of Agriculture for Northern Ireland's Laboratory at Belfast. The research is designed to improve methods of diagnosis, determine the prevalence of infection and the methods by which it can be controlled. The work is being directed primarily towards Leptospirosis in cattle because of the problems of mastitis, abortion and premature calving it can cause. Vaccine trials have been undertaken which suggest that vaccination might prove to be the only practical method of control. The problems associated with the disease continue to be the subject of international discussion, research and collaboration. The development of the disease in this country is not clear but it is most common in cattle. The disease can occur in humans, most notably those involved in the dairy industry, through transmission from cattle. In most cases the manifestations of the disease are not serious.