Bovine Tuberculosis and the Culling of Badgers

Bovine tuberculosis is an infectious disease that affects cattle such as cows, bulls, oxen, calves, buffaloes, and some other farm animals. It is caused by a bacterial species named Mycobacterium bovis (M.bovis). This disease can also be transmitted to mammals including humans, cats, dogs and badgers. In the initial stages of infection, usually there are no visible signs and symptoms. Some common signs of bovine tuberculosis that develop with the gradual progression of disease include weight loss, lack of appetite, weakness, and a low-grade fever. Bovine tuberculosis can also spread from a badger's den called sett through excretions and exhalations of the infected animal. Badger culling is a method adopted to reduce the transmission of bovine tuberculosis. In this method, badgers are slaughtered to reduce the incidence and spread of this infection. This book analyzes the impact of badger culling on the spread of bovine tuberculosis in detail. Coherent flow of topics, student-friendly language, and extensive use of examples make this book an invaluable source of knowledge.