According to Minister Creed, 13 farms were restricted in the autumn and winter of 2017 and in the spring this year – one herd has since gone clear. He was replying to a parliamentary question from Waterford TD Mary Butler, who said the outbreak had hit a total of 18 farms.

"Epidemiological investigations conclude that spread from wildlife [badgers], contiguous neighbourhood spread, within-herd spread and in some cases, residual infection were the likely sources of infection," Minister Creed said, with farm fragmentation also a potential factor.

"Deer are noted as being present but there is no evidence to date that they have any significant role to play in causing or sustaining bovine TB infection in cattle in the area," he added.

Epidemiological investigations

In addition to the removal of 200 reactors, the Department of Agriculture has conducted testing in neighbouring herds, epidemiological investigations for each herd and tracing of animal movements. Proactive management of the outbreak "will continue," the minister said.

Co Waterford had the lowest incidence of TB in Ireland last year, with just 36 restricted herds representing 1.66% of tested farms.

More TB reactor cattle in 2018

70 years to eradicate bovine TB in Ireland - UCD vet

200 reactors in Co Waterford TB outbreak

Large numbers of TB reactors have been removed from several farms in the Ballyduff Upper area of Co Waterford since the Autumn, Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed has said.