Watched Country File last night and the Farmer who is always on the programme was telling us about the cow he had in a herd that did not get pregnancy this year. So off we went to a lab to hear from a Boffin who explained what was wrong with the cow The Boffin told of a parasite that some dogs have been infected with, is passed on to cattle when dogs poo on grass farmland. The parasite is taken into the cow's digestive system when they eat infected grass.
The parasite set up in the host's body and the animal is infected. This parasite causes cows to abort their young. It was explained that once any animal was infected by this parasite there was no cure. So dogs and farm animals can be infected by this parasite.
The Farmer then told us all he had never heard of this parasite until last year, it was a fairly new thing. He went on to explain as there was no cure, there was nothing to do but put down infected animals, and he had found he had quite a few of them after testing. However, he was looking on the bright side as he was sending all the infected animals to slaughter for beef?
I have to say Phil and I were amazed as the story was just left there. No explanation that this parasite does not infect humans too. Also, with the fashion now to serve meat nearly raw, we are hoping that there is no effect on humans, but if the Farmer had not heard of this disease until last year perhaps it might be wise not to let the British public eat infected Beef just yet ??
