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Gazette Letters

Letters

THE recently published short communication by Roberts and others (2014) describing an unusual cluster of cases of Mycobacterium bovis infection in domestic cats in Berkshire relates to events some 384 | Veterinary Record | April 12, 2014

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Letters 12 months ago, although because of the perceived risk to human health, the report has created something of a media storm. While we would not wish to understate the impact that infection might have on affected individuals, or to deny that any human health risk exists, this issue must be considered in context as the risk to human health is low. The number of domestic cats diagnosed with clinical tuberculosis in the UK remains very small and M bovis is associated with a minority of those cases. The majority of cases of TB in domestic cats are associated with other mycobacteria, typically Mycobacterium microti acquired from infected wild rodents. The most likely source of M bovis in domestic cats is through direct contact with infected animals via bite wounds (rodents or other cats being the prime suspects), or indirect contact with infected animals (principally livestock) via environmental contamination or, less commonly these days, the consumption of infected unpasteurised milk. The role of larger wild mammals, such as badgers and deer, is unknown and there is currently no published evidence to demonstrate that badgers are a source of M bovis infection in cats. The focus for controlling the spread of bovine TB should rest firmly with cattlebased measures, as demonstrated historically by the success of the Area Eradication Scheme of the late 1950s. More recently, comprehensive, predominantly cattle-based, control measures introduced in Wales from 2008 onwards have resulted in a 48 per cent reduction in the number of cattle slaughtered in relation to bovine TB, and bovine TB herd incidence has been reduced by some 22 per cent over a 12-month period covering 2012 to 2013. By controlling bovine TB in cattle, the risk to other domestic and wild animals, and ultimately any risk to human health, will be reduced. The reported cluster of cases in domestic cats from over a year ago in Berkshire must not be taken out of context, nor must we allow it to be used to justify ineffective and unnecessary badger culls.

Geraldine Hale, Empress Business Centre, 380 Chester Road, Manchester M16 9EA Mark Jones, c/o Humane Society International/UK, 5 Underwood Street, London N1 7LY Andrew Knight, 189 Liberty Place, Sheepcote Street, Birmingham B16 8JZ Joanne Lewis, 138 Chobham Road, Sunningdale, Ascot, Berkshire SL5 0HU Iain McGill, 81 Stanmer Park Road, Brighton BN1 7JL Alastair MacMillan, Pointers, West Chiltington Road, Pulborough, West Sussex RH20 2EE doi: 10.1136/vr.g2665

Marc Abraham, Grove Lodge Veterinary Group, 21 Southwick Street, Southwick, Brighton BN42 4AD Caroline Allen, 226-228 Essex Road, Islington, London N1 3AP Fiona Dalzell, 2 Littlewood Cottages, School Road, Norwich NR8 6EP Bronwen Eastwood, Wilbury Veterinary Surgery, 20 Wilbury Avenue, Hove, West Sussex BN3 6HR Richard Edwards, Foxfield, Slindon Bottom Road, Fontwell, West Sussex BN18 0SN Phill Elliott, 9 Hunt Road, Earls Colne, Essex CO6 2NX April 12, 2014 | Veterinary Record | 385

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Mycobacterium bovis infection in cats and people Marc Abraham, Caroline Allen, Fiona Dalzell, Bronwen Eastwood, Richard Edwards, Phill Elliott, Geraldine Hale, Mark Jones, Andrew Knight, Joanne Lewis, Iain McGill and Alastair MacMillan Veterinary Record 2014 174: 384-385

doi: 10.1136/vr.g2665 Updated information and services can be found at: http://veterinaryrecord.bmj.com/content/174/15/384.4

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Mycobacterium bovis infection in cats and people.

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