A school in south Co. Dublin has confirmed the detection of bovine tuberculosis (TB) in an alpaca, which died after being kept on the grounds as part of the school farm.
Alpacas were kept on the farm along with other animals at Castle Park School in Dalkey, Co. Dublin, which allowed for educational benefits for students.
The school board has been working closely with the Department of Health and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) to ensure that all recommendations, actions and guidance have been adhered to.
Negative test results were received for other animals and people in close contact. The school is “very sorry” to lose the animal, but has confirmed that no alpacas will be returning to Castle Park in the future.
There is no statutory eradication programme for TB in alpacas, however TB in alpacas is a notifiable disease for DAFM and cases should be reported.
When the department is aware of a TB breakdown in an alpaca herd, DAFM officers can provide the necessary advice to herdowners.
TB is mainly a respiratory disease, where bacteria can be passed out of the infected animal’s body in its breath or in discharges from the nose or mouth.
TB infected badgers have been found associated with cattle detecting positive TB results throughout Ireland.
Herd TB incidence rates are increasing, from 3.72% in 2019 to 5.17% in 2024, resulting in 5280 affected herds nationally. Data also shows dairy herds to be at greater risk of breakdown.
The Irish Cattle Breeding Federation (ICBF) has advised farmers to select cows and bulls for breeding that have the highest overall index, as well as the lowest breeding value for TB resistance.
To improve TB resistance, a farmer should aim to use bulls with a breeding value of less than 8% for TB, and if they want a swift improvement, use bulls of less than 6.5%.