Changes

   

   

Historically bovine TB was a major cuase of human TB, the government introduced

Historically bovine TB was a major cuase of human TB, but the introduction of tuberculin testing and slaughter, meat inspection at abatoirs and the pasturisation of milk has dramatically reduced transmission to humans and bovine Tb as a cuase of human disease is now very low indeed.

The pasturisation of milk was introduced which dramatically reduced transmission to humans and bovine Tb as a cuase of human disease is now very low indeed.

The disease is of serious economic importance to farmers becasue of the stringent testing and slaughter control measures which remain in place.    

The disease is of serious economic importance to farmers becasue of the stringent control measures which remain in place. These include the slaughter of infected animals and movement restrictions placed on farms with reactors or inconclusive results. 

==Signalment==

==Signalment==

The disease usually affects heifers or young stock but cases can occur in cattle of any age. TB is more common in dairy herds.

The disease usually affects heifers or young stock but cases can occur in cattle of any age. TB is more common in dairy herds.

   

   

Incidence of the disease has increased over the past 15 years, it is prevelent in Wales and the south west of England but is re-emerging in other parts of the UK such as the west Midlands and north-west England.

Incidence of the disease has increased over the past 15 years; it is prevelent in Wales and the south west of England but is re-emerging in other parts of the UK such as the west Midlands and north-west England.

 

Most warm blooded animals are susceptible to bovine TB and the disease in cattle has been associated with the European badger which is suggested to act as a resevoir for infection.  

      

      

==Diagnosis==

==Diagnosis==