Tuberculosis is a serious disease caused by several bacteria of the Mycobacterium family which affect the respiratory system. Three main types of TB and their causative agents are:

• human (Mycobacterium tuberculosis)

• avian (Mycobacterium avian)

• bovine (Mycobacterium bovis)

Human TB is the most host specific of the three types, rarely being transmitted to non-human species. Avian TB is typically restricted to birds; however, pigs and a few other animals have been known to be susceptible. Bovine tuberculosis or Cattle TB is the most infectious TB, infecting most warm-blooded animals, including humans.

M. Bovis is the bacterium that causes bovine TB. It can manifest itself in livestock, especially cattle, as a chronic, wasting disease and may take years to develop bovine TB lesions in the lungs.

Airborne exposure from coughing and sneezing is considered to be the most frequent infection route of this disease, though infection among livestock can also occur through consumption of contaminated water, feed, or milk.

The use of a skin test is the most reliable way to diagnose bovine TB in livestock. An animal that has been exposed to, or infected with, TB will exhibit a reaction at the test site. If a reaction is observed, an additional test is performed to distinguish which type of tuberculosis bacteria caused the initial reaction.

The most effective means of controlling the disease is by destroying infected and, when appropriate, exposed animals.