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Essay / Bovine Tuberculosis Essay - 555
QUICK FACT ON BOVINE TUBERCULOSISWhat is bovine tuberculosis and what are its causes?• Bovine tuberculosis (TB) is a chronic and debilitating disease of animals caused by a bacteria called Mycobacterium bovis (M.bovis) which closely resembles the bacteria that causes avian and human tuberculosis. This disease is characterized by a general state of illness, coughing and death.• Cattle and buffalo are the main hosts of the bacteria.• The name tuberculosis derives from the "tubers", which are present in the lymph nodes of animals affected.• TB is an important zoonotic disease (a disease of animals that can also infect humans).• Tuberculosis is a notifiable disease listed in the Terrestrial Animal Health Code of the World Organization for Animal Health ( OIE).Where is the disease found?• Tuberculosis is widespread throughout the world, but the disease is most prevalent in Africa, parts of Asia (such as India), and in Americas. • The true hosts of M. bovis are cattle, but the disease has also been reported in many other domestic and non-domestic animals (buffalo, sheep, goats, camels, pigs, equines and...