Challenges for the Control of BTB in Tanzania

Implementation of BTB control and eradication programs in most developing countries has been impeded by the lack of application of policy, the lack of financial resources (Katale et al.

The control of BTB in Tanzania is particularly complex given the extensive pastoral husbandry system in the country where cattle intermingle extensively and are moved extensively in search of water and grazing. It is further complicated by the presence of maintenance hosts of M. bovis in wildlife (Fitzgerald and Kaneene 2013). Minimizing contact between wildlife and livestock should thus be attempted if successful management of the disease is to be achieved (Katale et al. 2012).

Given the complexity of dealing with BTB in a multi-host system internationally, there is a focus on the development of new M. bovis vaccines with the hope of augmenting the current, often inefficient and excessively costly, control measures. Such a vaccine, however, is yet to be developed, and those currently available are not effective for use in animals (Morrison et al. 2004).

Bovine tuberculosis can be eradicated in Tanzania only if mandatory testing of cattle is implemented, animal movement is restricted, farmers are compensated for all positive reactors that are culled, and skilled technical personnel and adequate financial resources are made available (Theon et al. 2006).

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