Tuberculosis (TB) is a global threat to wildlife and has significant socioeconomic, ecological and conservation consequences for endangered species, as well as humans.
This was one of the viewpoints of Prof Michele Miller of the Department of Biomedical Sciences in the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences at Stellenbosch University (SU) on Tuesday (23 June 2015). She delivered her inaugural lecture in the Clinical Building on SU's Tygerberg Campus.
Miller said TB in wildlife and cattle, also known as bovine TB, affects the health and productivity of animals, may lead to high mortality in some species, and could also be transmitted to other animals and humans.
"Consumption of unpasteurised dairy products or infected animal products, exposure to contaminated environments (including pasture and water) or close prolonged contact can result in transmission to other animals as well as humans."
"Disease risks may alter public perception of wildlife based on threat of transmission to livestock, impact on livelihoods, including utilisation of wildlife, and potential to infect humans."
"In Southern Africa, since people and livestock may share land and water resources and people utilise wildlife for economic purposes, potential disease transmission could result in decreased tolerance in already limited habitats."
Miller said the emergence of TB in wildlife has created concern among conservationists, private game and cattle farmers, agriculture regulatory agencies and the public health sector in developed and developing countries.
"Losses associated with restriction in trade, restricted animal movement, decreased tourism and production, increased biosecurity costs, expenses associated with testing and restocking, and infection from hunting and butchering game have been identified as major burdens for farmers, and the wider agricultural industry."
"In many developing countries, livestock are associated with social status and reflect personal wealth. The presence of TB can have serious implications for the livelihood and community standing of the family that owns infected animals."
Miller argued that we don't know the long-term consequences of TB among species such as lions, leopards, cheetahs, wild dogs, spotted hyenas, honey badgers, impalas, warthogs, hartebeest and blue wildebeest, giraffes and black rhinoceros.
She said the lack of resources and funding to conduct studies, a paucity of validated tests and constraints on accessing animals are some of the limitations for advancing comprehension of wildlife TB.
"Increased awareness of TB in wildlife is the first step in addressing the ecological, conservation, socioeconomic and public health issues associated with this disease."
Miller highlighted the importance of research to help us understand the disease better.
She said one of the key areas being investigated is the exploration of the different hosts' immune responses and the development of diagnostic tests, especially for wildlife species.
Miller added that collaboration between different stakeholders could contribute to greater knowledge that will inform strategies for the prevention and management of animal TB.
- Photo: Prof Michele Miller (middle) with Proff Jimmy Volmink, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, and Eugene Cloete, Vice-Rector: Research and Innovation, at the inaugural lecture.
- Photographer: Wilma Stassen
