Tuberculosis in Northern Ireland

Bovine Tuberculosis is a disease in cattle. It is caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium bovis which can also affect humans, deer, goats, pigs, dogs and cats, as well as many others mammals including badgers. It is one of a family of bacteria, which cause, amongst other diseases, Johne’s disease in cattle, Avian TB in birds and Leprosy in humans. TB in humans can be caused by both Mycobacterium bovis and the human form, Mycobacterium tuberculosis.