Latest statistics from the Department of Agriculture show the number of cattle that have failed the tuberculosis test in the 12 month period to September 30, 2014 in each county.

Counties with the highest number of reactors include Clare, Cork, Galway, Limerick and Wicklow. Counties with the lowest incidence included Carlow, Dublin, Louth and Leitrim.

Parts of Wicklow, particularly west Wicklow, had notably a high incidence of TB during the 12 month period with over 1,000 reactors in West Wicklow.

Recently the Department of Agriculture announced that it is to carry out a detailed study to verify the actual levels of TB in wild deer. 

IFA Animal Health Chairman Bert Stewart said that it has to be more than a coincidence that the county that has made the least progress in reducing the incidence of TB is also the most populated with deer.

“In this regard, it is appropriate the study is being carried out in an area of Wicklow that is experiencing severe problems with TB in cattle,” he said.

County Number of reactors identified in the 12 month period to 30 September 2014
CARLOW 34
CAVAN 722
CLARE 1,708
CORK NORTH 1,260
CORK SOUTH 915
DONEGAL 406
DUBLIN 52
GALWAY 994
KERRY 1,055
KILDARE 166
KILKENNY 412
LAOIS 593
LEITRIM 228
LIMERICK 1,021
LONGFORD 130
LOUTH 162
MAYO 327
MEATH 760
MONAGHAN 588
OFFALY 565
ROSCOMMON 772
SLIGO 363
TIPPERARY NORTH 716
TIPPERARY SOUTH 207
WATERFORD 488
WESTMEATH 739
WEXFORD 855
WICKLOW E 1,002
WICKLOW W 170