Three bacteria at centre of blame
TUBERCULOSIS is caused by three bacteria: Mycobacterium bovis, tuberculosis and avium.
Many cattle are infected with avium from migratory birds, but they seem to have become sensitised to it. It does, however, cause a cross reaction during routine TB testing.
Mycobacterium bovis can affect human beings. Cattle carrying tuberculosis react positively to a TB test, although it doesnt infect them.
The first symptoms of TB infection in cattle are stock not "doing". They loose weight, develop a soft cough and lumps appear around the lymph nodes on the neck. Abscesses can develop in the udder, although this is very rare.
The air-borne bacteria are breathed in. They cause abscesses in body organs, lungs and lymph nodes. Once the body is infected the disease is spread via the blood to other organs.
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