There were nine cases of BSE detected during May, according to figures from the Department of Agriculture. There have been 48 cases this year, 11 ahead of the total for 1999.
A positive element in yesterday's figures was that the infected animals were older than five years, indicating the tightening of controls on animal feed continues to make an impact.
The infected animals were found in Co Monaghan (3), two each in Cos Cavan and Wexford and one each in Cos Cork and Clare.
