Animals get TB too!

Until the middle of the 20th century tuberculosis was common in cattle in the United Kingdom and human disease due to the bovine tubercle bacillus - Mycobacterium bovis - was often seen. In particular, children were infected by drinking milk containing this bacillus.

Thanks to heat-treatment (pasteurisation) of milk and the slaughter of cattle shown by skin testing, to be infected, this form of tuberculosis in both humans and cattle became rare in the UK.

But, like the human form of TB, Bovine TB has been much in the news recently because of a serious rise in the number of infected herds. In the UK there is currently much controversy surrounding this increase in Bovine TB and whether this is related to badgers. For further information, click here to see the DEFRA website (opens in new window) or click here to see the Badger Trust website (opens in new window). One farmer featured on Radio 4's Today programme has seemingly been able to keep his herd TB free by providing licks containing specific minerals for both his cattle AND the badgers on his land. Click here to listen to the show (opens in new window, you will need scroll down and select the 0850 segment of the show).

Outbreaks of bovine TB have occurred in farmed deer, goats, llamas, water buffalo, even cats and other domesticated mammals.

The symptoms of M.bovis may include enlarged lymph nodes, flu-like symptoms, weight loss, stomach pain and tenderness, bone and joint lesions, neurological signs. Presentation may be identical to respiratory tuberculosis. The immuno-compromised are particularly at risk.

It can be diagnosed in the same way as human TB: i.e. positive Tuberculin testing (Mantoux test) and laboratory culture.

Click here for further links regarding TB in Animals

TB in animals and humans: Are we a threat to each other?
Meeting held at the Royal Society of Medicine, Tuesday 7 March 2006

Conference Aims
There has been a rapid increase in TB infection in Cattle in the UK over the past decade. It is unclear whether this is spread by badgers or some other means. It is also unclear whether this poses any threat to humans who have contact with or who consume cattle products. This meeting was held to inform all who have concerns in this area and was attended by both medical and veterinary professionals.

Click here to see the full programme