Abstract

Bovine tuberculosis (BTB) is endemic in Ethiopian livestock. Disease prevalence varies greatly by species, geography, husbandry system and diagnostic methods used. A substantial body of work has been done on BTB prevalence in Ethiopia over the last decade, the true burden of BTB however, is still largely unknown. This review highlighted gaps and weakness in BTB diagnostics and the urgent need to standardize/harmonize testing methods. It discusses the prevalence of M. tuberculosis and Non Tuberculous Mycobacteria (NTM) in livestock and their possible interference with the BTB diagnostic methods. This paper finally discusses possible control options for the disease, particularly in the intensive milk farm systems in the wake of increased and or emerging dairy farms in the country.

Keywords

Bovine tuberculosis, Mycobacteria