Prevalence of bovine tuberculosis in human and cattle in rift valley districts of Arusha regions

Abstract

A study is underway to determine the prevalence of bovine tuberculosis in cattle and human populations in Karatu, Mbulu, Babati and Hanang (Rift Valley) Districts of Arusha region. This study has been prompted by the higher than average proportion of extrapulmonary tuberculosis (EPTB) in the Rift Valley districts of Arusha region. According to the National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Programme (NTLP) cases of EPTB contribute between 16-20% of total tuberculosis cases in Tanzania, however, in Rift Valley districts the figure is around 25-30% of total cases of tuberculosis. The current study which started early 1999, has so far collected at total of 700 specimens with tuberculous lesions from 10,000 slaughter cattle. A total of 89 out of 658 processed specimens have been found to be positive for Mycobacterium. A total of 123 specimens from human cases of EPTB have been collected and these are still being cultured at Mycobacterium Lab at Muhimbili Medical Centre. As far as testing of live cattle in the field is concern, a total of 700 cattle have tested in Karatu District using single comparative intradermal test and only three were positive. These preliminary results so far have shown that bovine tuberculosis is prevalent in cattle kept by pastoral communities of the Rift Valley districts and could possibly be transmitted to the human population in the area.