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Historial Overview of Tuberculosis

During the 1930s a large proportion of dairy cows were infected with M.bovis. Many were kept near large cities to provide urban dwellers with fresh milk. Many infected cows developed TB in the udders and shed M.bovis infection in their milk, which was a major public health risk and an important source of TB in humans.*

During this time, over 50,000 new cases of human TB were recorded each year in Great Britain and it was estimated that 2,500 people were dying annually from TB caused by M.bovis.

To try to control the problem, in 1935 the Government introduced a voluntary TB testing scheme for cattle. Any animals that were positive to these tests were slaughtered. To try to stop Bovine TB (bTB) spreading to other herds, cattle were not allowed to be moved from farms affected with bTB.

This testing and slaughter programme became compulsory in 1950 and by 1980 it had reduced the national incidence of TB in cattle to a very low level. In addition to this, routine pasteurisation (heat treatment) of cows’ milk and inspection of cattle carcases of slaughterhouses were put in place to further protect public health.

Although the incidence of bTB has increased over the last 15 years, the testing and slaughter programme remains central to the strategy to stop its spread.

In November 2004 DEFRA (Department of Environment Food & Rural Affairs) introduced enhanced testing and control measures to help improve the detection of bTB.

(* source Department of Environment Food & Rural Affairs, 2009)

DEFRA announced in December 2005 the start of pre-movement testing in England and Wales to help reduce the risk of bTB spreading between herds.

There are a number of measures now in place to ensure that the risk of M.bovis being transmitted to humans remains low.

Further information can be found on the following websites:

  • Department of Health - www.dh.gov.uk
  • National Health Service - www.nhs.uk
  • Health Protection Agency - www.hpa.org.uk


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