Bovine TB is a zoonosis, that is, an infection that can be transmitted from affected animals to people, causing a condition very similar to human TB.

The risk of people contracting TB from cattle in Great Britain is considered very low. At present, less than 1% of all confirmed cases of TB in humans are due to infection with bovine TB.

This view is supported by the Health Protection Agency who identify the current risk posed by bovine TB to human health as negligible. Despite this low risk, we do not ignore it and there are robust controls in place to protect public health, including controls on meat and milk.

Bovine TB occasionally affects cats and dogs and owners should seek advice from their vet. See also “TB in non-bovine species”.

Further information

The following pages cover issues that many people may be interested in:

• Controlling the disease – the Government’s approach
• Badgers and bovine TB

For further sources of advice see:

• Department of Health
• National Health Service
• Health Protection Agency