I guess these cases of cat-to-human transmission are in the news because they are the first to be documented. The vet practice actually diagnosed the nine cases in domestic cats over a year ago. The cats belonged to different households. Six have died ( or been “ euthanased “ ) and three are responding to treatment, as are the two humans. It’s not clear how the cats became infected.

We do know that occasional cases of TB in pets, even fish, occur. Cats, also dogs, and humans are in fact relatively resistant ( compared wth other animals and birds ) to TB infection. Vaccinating or culling badgers to attempt reduction of TB in cattle is a separate topic !


As the BBC article points out, these two unusual cases need to be put in perspective.

The real issue of human TB is that which is transmitted between humans, not animals. There are around 8,500 cases each year in the UK ( mostly affecting lungs and ¾ non-UK born ); far more in the Philippines ( hence pre-entry testing ) ; and about 9 million new cases and 1.4 million deaths, each year in the world.

Prevention ( better vaccines than BCG ); faster diagnosis ; drug resistance and treatment costs are by far the biggest priorities.



http://filipinaroses.com/showthread....long-way-to-go



http://filipinaroses.com/showthread....ight=badger+TB
( # 20 )



http://filipinaroses.com/showthread....ight=badger+TB