Tuberculosis Outbreak at Farm in Geelong – K ROCK 95.5
Jeremy Clarkson took to social media to inform his followers that the Diddly Squat Farm, situated near Chadlington in Oxfordshire, has been hit by an outbreak of bovine tuberculosis. This news came after a pregnant cow tested positive for the disease, leaving Clarkson and his team deeply shaken by the revelation.
As a precautionary measure, the contaminated cow, who is pregnant with twins, has been placed in isolation. Additionally, another prized bull known as Endgame underwent testing, yielding an inconclusive result. Under UK regulations, animals that exhibit multiple inconclusive results, also known as “reactors,” must either be placed in quarantine or euthanized. In the case of Diddly Squat Farm, at least three cows are at risk of being lost due to this mandate. To contain the spread of the disease, the farm has been placed under a two-month lockdown to restrict the movement of livestock while further testing is conducted.
Bovine tuberculosis, caused by Mycobacterium bovis, primarily affects cattle as a respiratory ailment, with minimal impact on humans. Clarkson reassured the public that the risk to human health is minimal, highlighting that the farm shop remains open to visitors despite the ongoing outbreak.
Oxfordshire is classified as an “edge area” for bovine TB, with farms in this region subjected to biannual testing. Recent cases in neighboring farms have put the region on high alert concerning the disease. Clarkson expressed his dismay over the outbreak, admitting that the situation has made it challenging to enjoy farming responsibilities at the moment. He criticized the government’s strategies for managing TB, particularly their stance against culling badgers and policies affecting farmers.
Monitoring of disease trends in the region using the ibTB platform has revealed multiple incidents of bovine TB reported in proximity to Diddly Squat Farm. These occurrences underscore the grave economic impact this disease poses to farming communities in the area.
In conclusion, the outbreak of bovine tuberculosis at Diddly Squat Farm has dealt a significant blow to Jeremy Clarkson and his team. The stringent measures taken to mitigate the spread of the disease and uphold livestock welfare reflect the gravity of the situation. As the farm navigates through this challenging period, it remains crucial for authorities to support affected farms and communities in combating the threat of bovine TB.