A review on bovine tuberculosis in India

Bovine tuberculosis (bTB) is a chronic illness in animals, especially in cattle, leading to loss in the productivity and signifies a crucial public health risk. Regardless of the zoonotic threat and significant economic costs associated with the disease, precise estimates of bTB prevalence are deficient in many countries, including India, where national control programs are yet to be instigated. The true burden of the disease remains unknown due to lack of routine surveillance data from most of the developing countries. India is progressing well towards attaining the End TB goal, yet bTB continues to remain largely hidden. Moreover, the paucity of literature on bTB in India might lead to undue complacency and hence has to be scrupulously guarded and prevented from gaining any misconceptions in the minds of the common people. Preventing and controlling bTB at the animal interface is pivotal to evade transmission to human, increase food safety and guard the livelihood of the people. To attain this goal, implementation of strategies based on international norms and a multi-sectoral approach will empower enhanced surveillance and diagnosis of disease in animals and subsequently reduce the risk for humans. As an initiative, we step forward to address this review which briefly summarizes the available data in the literature from early 20th century to date to assess the status of bTB in India. We have discussed in detail, the epidemiology, transmission and diagnosis pertaining to bTB. The review also focuses on the interconnection between the health of people and animal, discuss the preventions and control strategies and recommend the use of vaccination in cattle to reduce the spread of infection among other animals and humans. Implementing One Health approach in India, which recognizes the interdependence of the health of people and animals will help the nation in the fight against TB.