Bovine tuberculosis in free-living animals andthe hazard of human infection

Overview

In EuropeMycobacterium bovis has been diagnosed in many species of free-living animals. Fromnature at large game, e.g. infected European bison (Bison bonasus), red deer (Cervus elaphus),wild boar (Sus scorfa), roedeer (Capreolus capreolus), badgers (Meles meles), brown rats (Rattusnorvegicus) and foxes (Vulpes vulpes). In game parks bovine tuberculosis has been demonstratedin the bezoar goat (Capra aegagrus), forest deer and other ruminants. Farmed deer have alsobeen found to be infected with M. bovis, and in a circus bovine tuberculosis had been demonstratedin a camel (Camelus ferus). In zoological gardens the infected species ranged fromruminants to carnivores. In central Europe the situation concerning bovine tuberculosis in cattleand other domestic animals has in essence been stabilized. Therefore, the potential source andvectors of bovine tuberculosis can be seen namely in free-living animals in nature and in animalskept in captivity, i.g. in zoos and deer farms. The infection of humans through contact withinfected animals cannot be ruled out, nor with products from them (meat and parenchymatousorgans) for culinary processing coming namely from deer and reodeer game animals.

Key words:
Mycobacterium bovis - zoological gardens - game parks - deer farm - wild nature.