The outbreak was so severe that it resulted in a trade embargo by the British government, blocking U.S. cattle exports to Britain and Canada.
Contagious bovine pleuropneumonia came to Australia on a shipment of five head of cattle from England in 1858, imported by one of Melbourne's earliest settlers Mr Boadle.
Whilst Boadle destroyed the herd, St Bees had already infected a bullock team grazing on a neighbouring property.
[4] A national management strategy was implemented in 1959, inspired by the work of chief veterinary officer of the Northern Territory Colonel Lionel Rose.
A National Committee for the Control and Eradication of Pleuropneumonia was established, under the Chief of the CSIRO Division of Animal Health and Production, D A Gill.