Monday, July 1, 2013
Badgers Making Cows Sick in UK
Badgers are infected by Bovine Tuberculosis (bTB) which they spread to cows. The disease can be transmitted in several ways; for example, badgers excrete the bacteria that causes bTB in exhaled air, sputum, urine, faeces and pus, so the disease can be transmitted by direct contact, contact with the excreta of an infected animal, or inhalation of aerosols, depending on the species involved..There is a Question as to whether it is safe for people to eat cows infected by bTB. The people who are in favor of killing all the badgers say it is dangerous to eat infected cows. Many people who grow cattle feel that it is perfectly safe if you cut out the infected organ when the cow is slaughtered. PETA is trying to get people to stop eating meat in Great Britain which is adding fuel to the debate.
There is a vaccine for bTB but it is illegal to use on cattle in britain. When the Cows are given the vaccine it is impossible to tell whether the animal is sick or if it was given the vaccine. bTB is usually transmitted to humans by infected milk, although it can also spread via aerosol droplets. Actual infections in humans are rare, mainly because pasteurisation kills any bacteria in infected milk; also, cattle are randomly tested for the disease and immediately culled if infected, but can still be used for human consumption
Labels:
Badgers,
Bovine Tuberculosis,
Cow
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