Abstract:
Tuberculosis continues to be an important public health problem worldwide. The World
Health Organization estimated that human TB incidence and death for the 1990 to 1999
period would be 88 million and 30 million respectively, with most cases in developing
countries.
Zoonotic TB caused by M. bovis is present in animals in most developing countries
(including Ghana) where surveillance and control activities are often inadequate or
unavailable. Consequently, many epidemiological and public health aspects of infection
remain largely unknown.
This study was, therefore, undertaken to determine the prevalence of bovine TB in Ho
district, and to serve as an indicator to the probability of human infection with bovine TB.
The standard single intradermal comparative tuberculin test (using purified protein
derivative of M. bovis and M. avian) was used. The study also reviewed data on TB
diagnosed at the slaughter house/slabs between 1996 to 1999. The study furthermore,
used an interview checklist to identify risk factors that might play a role in the infection
of humans with bovine TB.
The study results revealed a prevalence of 3.1% and 1.1% of bovine TB in live animals
and slaughtered cattle respectively. Consumption of unpasteurized milk, eating of uncertified meat as well as living in close
proximity to cattle were some of the risk factors identified during the study.
Measures to prevent transmission of bovine TB infection should be the primary objective
of the Ho district and it is to be achieved with trained public health personnel, public
education and proper hygienic practices such as consumption of pasteurized milk and
uncontaminated meat. The test-and-slaughter programme is considered feasible and
economical where bovine TB is less or equal to 5%. In line with this and the findings of
the study, it is suggested the Ho district undertake the test-and-slaughter programme to
control bovine tuberculosis as well as to avoid its transmission to humans.
