Lamb disease: Q&A

Meat plants destroyed more than 400 lamb carcasses in recent weeks after they were found to have sacrocystosis, a disease caused by a parasite that can be passed to humans.

What is sarcocystosis?

Sarcocystosis or sarcoporidiosis in humans is caused by a parasite that attacks muscle and other soft tissues in its hosts, which are mostly animals.

How did the lambs get it?

They got it from dogs which ate raw offal containing the parasite and passed it on to the land where the lambs grazed.

Is it transmissible to humans?

Yes, if they eat raw or undercooked meat. Any instances of it in people were traced to infected meat.

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What are the implications for health?

It causes illness, with symptoms including nausea, stomach aches, fever and diahorrea.

Has it occurred in Ireland?

The Food Safety Authority says that it is rare here and is more common in cultures and countries where people eat raw meat.

Where has it occurred?

The last major occurrence was in Malaysia in 2012 where 93 people were infected. There have been minor instances in Europe.

Where was this discovered?

The outbreak is linked to a flock in Donegal but infected lambs have turned up in a number of different meat plants around the Republic.

What happens to the flock thought to be responsible?

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has restricted it, which means that animals from there cannot be moved or sold until it is declared disease-free.

How long will that take?

Nobody knows for certain. The parasite that causes the disease can survive in the environment for long periods so it could prove difficult to eliminate.

What are the implications for the meat industry?

It could potentially damage exports if infected product from the Republic was found in another country, which could then limit or even ban imports.

What is the value of the Irish lamb industry?

According to the Irish Farmers´ Association, the lamb industry is worth about €320 million a year.

What are the safeguards against this problem?

Department vets inspect animals before and after they are slaughtered and condemn any deemed to be unfit for human consumption. However, officials say that our system for identifying and tracing sheep is not fit for purpose.