Mycobacterium bovis as a zoonosis in the Kruger National Park, South Africa.
METHODS
The Kruger National Park (KNP), Mpumalanga Province, South Africa.


OBJECTIVE
The prevalence of tuberculosis caused by Mycobacterium bovis exceeds 70% in African buffalo in the southern region of the KNP. Inter-species transmission (lion, cheetah, baboon, antelope) has also been confirmed. Regular culling of emaciated buffalo and processing of meat and hides constitute routine control policy. Following extensive media coverage of the problem, public health concerns about the transmission of M. bovis to humans, including visitors to the KNP, prompted this investigation.


METHODS
The study was designed to determine the prevalence of infection and/or active disease due to M. bovis among KNP employees selected from three defined risk groups based on occupation category.


RESULTS
Of 206 persons screened for active disease by sputum bacteriology, two persons with disease due to M. tuberculosis were identified. No isolate of M. bovis was found. Differential skin testing using three antigens failed to show any degree of M. bovis infection risk, even among high risk occupations. Reasons for these results are discussed.


CONCLUSIONS
Bovine tuberculosis was not indicated as an occupational zoonosis in the KNP, nor was aerosol transmission implicated as a mechanism for human infection. Concerns about the public health implications of tuberculosis in buffalo in the KNP have therefore not been validated.
Weyer
K
K
National Tuberculosis Research Programme, Medical Research Council, Pretoria, South Africa. karin.weyer@mrc.ac.za
Fourie
P B
PB
Dürrheim
D
D
Lancaster
J
J
Haslöv
K
K
Bryden
H
H
D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D002020:Buffaloes; D002417:Cattle; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009163:Mycobacterium bovis; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis; D012882:Skin Tests; D013019:South Africa; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D014380:Tuberculosis, Bovine / Q000635:transmission; D015047:Zoonoses