What is bovine TB, what are the symptoms, how is it transmitted between animals and can humans catch it from cattle?
Infected animals spread the disease mainly through coughing and sneezing.
UP TO 33,000 more badgers could be killed after the government granted powers to cull the animals in new areas to stop Bovine Tuberculosis from spreading.
Here's everything we know about the disease, how it's transmitted and whether humans can get infected.
What is bovine TB?
Bovine Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease of cattle and badgers.
It is caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium bovis (M. bovis) which can also infect and cause disease in many other mammals including humans, deer, goats, pigs, cats, dogs and badgers.
In cattle, it is mainly a respiratory disease.
There were more than 4,400 new TB herd incidents (involving a detection of typical TB lesions, inconclusive tests or where a slaughterhouse produced positive result) between May 2016 and May this year in Britain.
More than 40,000 cattle were slaughtered in the same period due to the disease and potential risks, according to the .
The government last week issued licences to cull more badgers to tackle Bovine Tuberculosis.
A shocking video showing a caged badger bleeding to death emerged after the government issued licenses to cull the creatures in 11 new areas in Devon, Wiltshire, Somerset, Dorset and Cheshire.
What are the symptoms?
It is hard to spot bovine TB as the signs are similar to other diseases and normally only develop in the advanced stages.
It is normally picked up in cattle testing before clinical signs develop or during inspections of slaughtered cattle.
Animals can get thinner, have a light fever that keeps coming back, appear weak and have a reduced appetite.
Some will also have swollen lymph nodes, in the neck and a moist cough which is worse in the morning and during cold weather or exercise.
The government states it may cause chronic mastitis, an infection of the udder.
How is transferred between animals?
Evidence of bovine TB is most commonly found in the lymph glands of throat and lungs of affected animals.
They spread the disease mainly through coughing and sneezing.
Bacteria are released into the air and inhaled by other animals in close contact.
The disease can pass from badgers to cattle via close contact - and vice versa.
Contaminated equipment, animal waste, feed and pasture can also transfer the infection.
Can humans catch it from cattle?
Humans can catch bovine TB through:
- unpasteurised milk or dairy products from an infected cow, buffalo, goat or sheep
- inhaling bacteria breathed out by infected animals
- inhaling bacteria released from the carcasses of infected animals or from their excretions (such as faeces)
Infection is more likely if an unprotected wound is exposed to bacteria from an infected animal.
But the government insists the risk of infection is very low for the vast majority of the population.
Symptoms are similar to human TB, including weight loss, fever, night sweats and a persistent cough.
Anyone who develops these symptoms should consult a doctor.
The disease can be treated by a complex combination of drugs over a long period.
More information on TB in humans can be found at and at .
