Prevalence of bovine tuberculosis in cattle of lower and middle ranges of north-western Himalayas

Abstract

This study was conducted to ascertain the prevalence of bovine tuberculosis in cattle of different breeds reared under different faming systems and agro-climatic zones of Himachal Pradesh. Tuberculin reactors (17) were detected only in organized dairy farms. Prevalence (15/595, 2.5%) of the disease was highest in animals aged between 5-10 years with 88.2% (15/17) of total reactors being detected in this age group. Tuberculin reactors were found among animal from Red Sindhi crosses (11.8%, 13/110) and pure Jersey/HF animals (2.8%, 4/143). RT-PCR detected M. bovis in milk (20%, 2/10) and lymph node biopsy samples (17.6%, 3/17). M. bovis is zoonotic and shedding of bacteria in milk is a serious public health hazard. Raw milk and products prepared from unpasteurized or raw milk are major vehicles of M. bovis transmission and causation of extra pulmonary tuberculosis in humans.

Keywords

• Bovine tuberculosis
• Cattle
• Himachal Pradesh
• Mycobacterium bovis