Abstract
Ovine enzootic abortion (OEA) is caused by a member of the chlamydia, Chlamydia psittaci. It was some 25 years ago that the potential significance for the pregnant woman of infection with Chlamydia psittaci of ovine origin was first recognised. It was only in the 1980's, however, that following a spate of case reports of maternal illness and abortion due to OEA that it gained more widespread attention, and even elicited questions in the House of Lords. Ovine enzootic abortion also presents major problems to sheep farming in the UK as it is the most frequent cause of abortion of ewes in the UK, and its spread has proved resistant to available vaccines.
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