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DEFINITION
Bovine tuberculosis is a chronic animal disease caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium bovis, which is closely related to the bacterium responsible for human and avian tuberculosis. The incubation period is very long (months or years).
WHICH ANIMALS ARE MORE AFFECTED?
Cattle are more likely.
WHICH PEOPLE ARE MOST AT RISK?
The disease can affect the entire population, but shepherds, breeders, slaughterhouse workers are more exposed.
HOW IS THE DISEASE TRANSMITTED?
Cattle and humans can become infected by inhaling sprout-containing air, when an infected animal coughs, or by consuming raw milk and unpasteurized dairy products from sick cows or undercooked meat.
WHAT ARE THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS?
In animals: weakness, anorexia, wasting, oscillating fever, intermittent dry cough, diarrhea. However, the bacteria can also remain latent in h6te, without causing disease.
In humans: cough, weight loss, fever, anorexia, etc...
WHAT ARE THE PREVENTION AND CONTROL MEASURES?
Control of animals at borders or points of entry into the country
Sanitary slaughter
Wearing protective equipment for workers handling animals or animal products (milk, meat)
Pasteurization or sterilization of milk before consumption
Vaccination of exposed persons (slaughterhouse workers, butchers, cattle farmers, cow milkers, etc.)
Systematic hand washing after contact with animals
Surveillance and exchange of information between veterinarians and doctors
WHAT SHOULD BE AVOIDED?
Avoid entering donations of the chicken coop, without wearing personal protective equipment;
Avoid the entry of wild birds donated chicken coops;
Avoid access to chicken coops by foreign persons;
Avoid access of wild birds to water points donated farms.