Abstract
BackgroundBovine tuberculosis (bTB), caused by Mycobacterium bovis, is an infectious disease of cattle that also affects other domestic animals, free-ranging and farmed wildlife, and also humans. In Mozambique, scattered surveys have reported a wide variation of bTB prevalence rates in cattle from different regions. Due to direct economic repercussions on livestock and indirect consequences for human health and wildlife, knowing the prevalence rates of the disease is essential to define an effective control strategy.Methodology/Principal findingsA cross-sectional study was conducted in Govuro district to determine bTB prevalence in cattle and identify associated risk factors. A representative sample of the cattle population was defined, stratified by livestock areas (n = 14). A total of 1136 cattle from 289 farmers were tested using the single comparative intradermal tuberculin test. The overall apparent prevalence was estimated at 39.6% (95% CI 36.8–42.5) using a diagnostic threshold cut-off according to the World Organization for Animal Health. bTB reactors were found in 13 livestock areas, with prevalence rates ranging from 8.1 to 65.8%. Age was the main risk factor; animals older than 4 years were more likely to be positive reactors (OR = 3.2, 95% CI: 2.2–4.7). Landim local breed showed a lower prevalence than crossbred animals (Landim × Brahman) (OR = 0.6, 95% CI: 0.4–0.8).Conclusions/SignificanceThe findings reveal an urgent need for intervention with effective, area-based, control measures in order to reduce bTB prevalence and prevent its spread to the human population. In addition to the high prevalence, population habits in Govuro, particularly the consumption of raw milk, clearly may potentiate the transmission to humans. Thus, further studies on human tuberculosis and the molecular characterization of the predominant strain lineages that cause bTB in cattle and humans are urgently required to evaluate the impact on human health in the region.
Highlights
Bovine tuberculosis is an infectious disease of cattle caused by Mycobacterium bovis, a member of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex
Our results show that Bovine tuberculosis (bTB) is highly prevalent in Govuro district, with an overall prevalence rate of 39.6%
The sample size in each livestock area was slightly lower than targeted and the observed prevalence was closer to 50%, the precision associated with the prevalence estimates for the single livestock areas was lower than planned in the sample size calculation
Summary
Bovine tuberculosis (bTB) is an infectious disease of cattle caused by Mycobacterium bovis, a member of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex. This chronic disease affects a wide range of other domestic and wildlife animals and may cause disease in humans [1]. Bovine tuberculosis (bTB), caused by Mycobacterium bovis, is an infectious disease of cattle that affects other domestic animals, free-ranging and farmed wildlife, and humans. Due to direct economic repercussions on livestock and indirect consequences for human health and wildlife, knowing the prevalence rates of the disease is essential to define an effective control strategy
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