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Foetus dumped at DARD vet's home Foetus dumped at DARD vet's home
(about 4 hours later)
A calf foetus has been left at the home of a Department of Agriculture veterinary official in the Dungannon area, the department has said.A calf foetus has been left at the home of a Department of Agriculture veterinary official in the Dungannon area, the department has said.
Tests are under way to establish if the foetus was infected with the highly contagious cattle disease brucellosis.Tests are under way to establish if the foetus was infected with the highly contagious cattle disease brucellosis.
The department said it would use DNA analysis to establish which cattle herd the foetus came from.The department said it would use DNA analysis to establish which cattle herd the foetus came from.
The Agriculture and Rural Development Minister said she was "appalled by this irresponsible action".
The minister, Michelle Gildernew, said: "We will follow up this latest incident as rigorously as possible."
In January, an attempt was made to infect a herd in Armagh using an infected foetus dumped in a field.In January, an attempt was made to infect a herd in Armagh using an infected foetus dumped in a field.
It was found near feeding buckets where cows, calves and a bull were grazing at Lislea, but did not come from the herd.It was found near feeding buckets where cows, calves and a bull were grazing at Lislea, but did not come from the herd.
The foetus had been opened from its neck to its belly, with meal placed over it and inside it.The foetus had been opened from its neck to its belly, with meal placed over it and inside it.
Brucellosis causes cattle to miscarry and in some humans the disease causes a mild flu-like illness, while others experience recurrent or chronic fever.Brucellosis causes cattle to miscarry and in some humans the disease causes a mild flu-like illness, while others experience recurrent or chronic fever.