§ Lord Alportasked Her Majesty's Government:
What action is being taken to assist sufferers from, and to extend the research into, brucellosis, and what preventative action is being taken to stop the spread of this serious disease among humans.
§ Lord GlenarthurAs the following table shows, the incidence of brucellosis has decreased markedly since the introduction of the National Brucellosis Eradication Scheme in cattle in the mid-1970s:
Table England and Wales Laboratory Reports 1970–365 1980–22 (including 7 cases contracted abroad) 1981–26 (including 12 cases contracted abroad) 1982–17 (including 6 cases contracted abroad) Brucellosis does not spread directly from man to man but from cattle to man, most usually in untreated milk. Pasteurisation of milk is the most effective preventive measure. Brucellosis is a prescribed occupational disease under the Industrial Injuries Scheme. Disablement benefit is payable to workers who contract the disease as a result of employment involving contact with infected animals or carcasses, or with laboratory specimens or animal vaccines. Early diagnosis and treatment with tetracycline antibiotics produces a quick recovery. Research into the disease lies most usefully in animals. The State Veterinary Service run by the Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food monitors and investigates any incidence of brucellosis in cattle, and the Central Veterinary Laboratory has a laboratory programme looking at residual brucellosis problems.