ARS | Publication request: TUBERCULOSIS IN WILDLIFE:IMPACT ON AGRICULTURE AND PUBLIC HEALTH

Submitted to: Beltsville Agricultural Research Center Symposium
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: September 10, 2000
Publication Date: N/A

Technical Abstract: Although tuberculosis of cattle due to infection with Mycobacterium bovis is nearly eradicated from the United States, increased prevalence has been reported over the last decade. Reemergence of tuberculosis in cattle has occurred due to several factors, most important of which, is the identification of the first known wildlife reservoir of M. bovis infection in white-tailed deer in northern Michigan. Within the affected area, transmission from deer to cattle has occurred. Other countries with wildlife reservoirs of M. bovis have been unsuccessful in eliminating tuberculosis from domestic livestock. Economic losses to livestock producers in Michigan are estimated at $35 million annually, due to increased cost of testing cattle for tuberculosis and decreased market options. Potential for transmission of M. bovis from wildlife to humans is real, although active cases of tuberculosis in humans attributable to contact with infected wildlife have not been identified in the United States.