Bovine TB: Protecting public health from bovine TB (bTB)
| Important note: This site provides information on bTB. For the human form of TB, please see the Department of Health and National Health Service websites. |
Background to bovine TB
A theme running through many of the strategic goals in the Government strategic framework for the sustainable control of bovine tuberculosis (bTB) in Great Britain, is to protect the public’s health from bTB.
Bovine TB is a zoonosis, i.e. an infection that can be transmitted from affected animals to people, causing a condition very similar to human TB. However, the risk to 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 Mycobacterium bovis (M. bovis). This view is supported by the Health Protection Agency, who identify the current risk posed by M. bovis 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. Risks are minimised through:
- Cattle surveillance and control
- Slaughterhouse inspections
- Controls on meat
- Controls on milk
- Occupational health controls
- Partnership with the Department of Health and Health Authorities
Cattle Surveillance and Control
The cattle test and slaughter scheme will remain central to controlling the spread of the disease. In the absence of a wildlife reservoir of the disease, similar cattle controls in other countries have been effective in controlling bTB. Details of the minimum testing regime are determined by EU Council Directive 64/ 432.
We will continue to explore scope for maximising the effectiveness of existing tests and developing improved diagnostic tests.
Slaughterhouse inspections
The Meat Hygiene Service (MHS), an agency of the Food Standards Agency (FSA), provides hygiene supervision and meat inspection services in licensed slaughterhouses, cutting plants, cold stores, farmed game handling facilities, and wild game facilities. The MHS has a statutory duty to provide these services on demand, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, throughout GB. Full details of the service provided by the MHS can be found on the FSA website.
Details of what happens to meat from animals that test positive to bTB
(known as “reactors”) can be found on Defra’s online
booklet, Dealing With TB In
Your Herd 
(306
KB).
Details of the implications of bTB reactor cattle for slaughterhouse personnel are available here.
Controls on meat
The risk of contracting bTB from eating meat is very small. M. bovis, the bacterium that causes bTB, is killed by cooking meat properly. Additionally, the Meat Hygiene Service inspects carcases and their associated offal at slaughter; those with signs of generalised infection are fully condemned and declared unfit for human consumption. Where localised TB lesions are found in more than one organ or area of a carcass, the whole carcass is condemned.
Those carcases with lesions in a single organ or part of the carcass and associated lymph nodes are only passed fit for human consumption once the affected part of the carcass has been cut out and condemned.
The Food Standards Agency can provide further detailed advice.
Controls on milk
Milk is safe to drink. M. bovis, the bacterium that causes bTB, is killed by normal pasteurisation. Herds that produce raw milk for sale (i.e. unpasteurised) are subject to more regular bTB tests than other herds, which should ensure infectious cattle are not present in the herd.With effect from 1 January 2006, the EU's consolidated Food Hygiene Regulations consolidate legislation relating to milk. Milk (raw or pasteurised) from any animal showing a positive reaction to a bTB test cannot be used for human consumption. Milk from the rest of the herd may continue to be sold for human consumption but only if it is heat-treated.
Disposal of milk. Under the Waste Management (England and Wales) Regulations 2006, which came into force on 15 May 2006, farmers wishing to dispose of reactor milk by mixing it with slurry and spreading it on agricultural land must first register for a waste management licence exemption (under ‘Exemption 47’). Farmers who have previously carried out this activity have until 15 May 2007 to register the exemption with the Environment Agency and must strictly follow the exemption conditions and limitations. To register an exemption is free of charge.If an exemption is not registered, the activity will require a full waste management licence, which is chargeable. (Scotland and Northern Ireland also have equivalent Regulations in force.)
Further information and guidance can be obtained from the Environment Agency’s Helpline number 0845 603 3113.
The Food Standards Agency’s website provides further advice on food hygiene regulations.
Occupational health controls
There are minimal occupational health risks arising from bTB.
In the UK, the occupational health risks from bTB are addressed by the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act, 1974 and is regulated by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
Under the 1974 Act, the following Regulations were introduced:
-
Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations , 1995, (RIDDOR), which require employers to notify the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) of any human cases of TB resulting from work with people, animals, human or animal remains or any other material which might be a source of infection. Guidance can be found on the HSE website.
-
The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations, 1999. These regulations contain general requirement for risk assessment.
-
The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002, (COSHH), which require employers to assess the infection risk to employees and institute measures to prevent exposure to pathological biological agents or, where this is not reasonably practicable, adequately control it.
Once the HSE has been informed of a case of work associated bTB, it may investigate and, if appropriate, enforcement action may be taken. The HSE should be informed via the Incident Contact Centre, which will provide details on what should be reported and the procedure for doing so.
Partnership with the Department for Health and Health Authorities
Defra meets regularly with the Department of Health to monitor the potential for bTB to infect humans. The UK Zoonoses Group provides the formal context for these meetings.
Whenever cattle are found to be suffering from TB, Animal Health (formerly SVS) informs the local Health Authority so they can take appropriate action. For instance, the local Health Authority may test farm workers who came into contact with the infected animals or make sure that milk from the farm is heat-treated.
Further details on protecting the public from bTB can be found in Defra’s
online booklet, Dealing With TB In Your Herd
(306 KB) (section
13).
Risks from other animals
There are minimal potential risks to the general public from exposure to wildlife or pets.
There is a need to remain vigilant, as bTB is an infectious and zoonotic disease that can potentially be passed to humans.
Page last modified: 16 April 2007