Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis is an infection with the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which most commonly affects the lungs (pulmonary TB) but can also affect the central nervous system (meningitis), lymphatic system, circulatory system (miliary TB), genitourinary system, bones and joints.

Animals

Tuberculosis can be carried by many mammals. Domesticated species, such as cats and dogs, are generally free of tuberculosis, but wild animals may be carriers. As a result, many places have regulations restricting the ownership of novelty pets, possibly including such partially domesticated species as pet skunks; for example, the Canadian province of Quebec forbids the owning of hedgehogs as pets, and the American state of California forbids the ownership of pet gerbils. The strictness of such restrictions generally depends on the public health policies adopted for fighting tuberculosis.

Related Topics:
Mammal - Novelty pet - Pet skunk - Canadian - Quebec - Hedgehog - American - California - Gerbil - Public health

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An effort to eradicate bovine tuberculosis from the cattle and deer herds of New Zealand is underway. It has been found that herd infection is more likely in areas where infected vector species such as Australian brush-tailed possums come into contact with domestic livestock at farm/bush borders. Controlling the vectors through possum eradication and monitoring the level of disease in livestock herds through regular surveillance are seen as a "two-pronged" approach to ridding New Zealand of the disease.

Related Topics:
New Zealand - Vector species - Brush-tailed possums - Domestic livestock

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In both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, badgers have been identified as a vector species for the transmission of bovine tuberculosis. As a result, the government in both regions has mounted an active campaign of eradication of the species in an effort to reduce the incidence of the disease. Badgers have been cullled primarily by snaring and gassing. It remains a contentious issue, with proponents and opponents of the scheme citing their own studies to support their position. http://www.agriculture.ie/index.jsp?file=animal_health/TB.xml http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/4044897.stm http://www.badger-killers.co.uk/Ireland/Ireland_news.html

Related Topics:
Republic of Ireland - Northern Ireland - Badger

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