Scientists Examine Rise Of Bovine TB
LONDON - Bovine tuberculosis is on the rise in Britain despite massive spending to tackle the disease and scientists are to investigate if the bacterium is evolving to thwart control measures.
31 July 2007
1 minute read
Stephen Gordon of the Veterinary Laboratories Agency (VLA) told a news conference yesterday that cases of the disease, which affects cattle, are rising at an average annual rate of 14 per cent.
Bovine TB is a chronic debilitating disease which causes breathing difficulties and ultimately death. It can spread to humans, with similar symptoms to the human form of the disease, but such cases are very rare.
Gordon noted the UK government has estimated it will spend £1 billion ($2.03 billion; Dh7.45 billion) between 2004 and 2012 trying to control the disease and compensating farmers.
For more information on Bovine Tuberculosis, click here.
