Bovine tuberculosis: Guidance on management of the public health consequences of tuberculosis in cattle and other animals (England)

The guidance as been approved for use in Scotland by the Scottish Health Protection Network Guidance Group (SHPN-GG). The guidance should be used in conjunction with the SHPN addendum.

The incidence and geographic spread of​ tuberculosis in cattle caused by infection with My​cobacterium bovis (M. bovis, bovine TB) has increased in the UK since the mid 1980s. In addition, a small number of cases of M. bovis infections are diagnosed each year in no​​n-bovine livestock and domestic animals, including household pets.

A systematic approach is required for the management of possible public health consequences of tuberculosis in cattle and other animals. This revised Guidan​ce on management of the public health consequences of tuberculosis in cattle and ​​​​other animals​ updates the previous documents and provides greater clarity and uniformity to the approach taken by local public health authorities in England when assessing the risk to people who have been in close contact with M. bovis-infected animals.

It includes risk assessment algorithms and, for the first time, advice for public health follow-up of tuberculosis in non-bovine animals.

However, whilst evidence-based, it is acknowledged that the underpinning evidence, including that related to the risk of recent indigenous zoonotic transmission, is lacking. Consequently revisions to this guidance may be required in future.