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Bovine Tuberculosis in Ghana

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Tuberculosis in Animals: An African Perspective

Abstract

Mycobacterium bovis is not host-specific and can infect a wide range of mammals including humans. With the semi-high human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevalence of 1.9% in Ghana, which translates into close to 500,000 people living with HIV (PLHIV), the zoonotic risk from BTB represents a great health threat to humans. This chapter discusses the prevalence of bovine TB, the available diagnostics, bovine TB (BTB) in humans, and the control strategy and challenges in Ghana. We reviewed published data by different groups providing information about BTB in live cattle and carcasses in abattoirs and humans. Although there is limited information about the prevalence of bovine tuberculosis in Ghana, available information indicates that BTB is endemic in cattle in the country. A recent study in humans by our group confirmed a prevalence of 1% of humans infected with M. bovis. Control of BTB in Ghana is hampered by logistical constrains, inadequate governmental funding to sustain the test-and-slaughter policy, and a lack of laboratory infrastructure in the Veterinary Service Department of the Ministry of Agriculture. In addition, application of the protocol of the Economic Community of West-African States makes the control of animal movement across borders difficult and disease control almost impossible.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana

    Dorothy Yeboah-Manu & Adwoa Asante-Poku

Authors
  1. Dorothy Yeboah-Manu
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  2. Adwoa Asante-Poku
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Correspondence to Dorothy Yeboah-Manu .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicince, Tuskegee University, Tuskegee, AL, USA

    Asseged B. Dibaba

  2. Department of Paraclinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Onderstepoort, South Africa

    Nicolaas P. J. Kriek

  3. Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Preventive Medicine, Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Ames, IA, USA

    Charles O. Thoen

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Yeboah-Manu, D., Asante-Poku, A. (2019). Bovine Tuberculosis in Ghana. In: Dibaba, A., Kriek, N., Thoen, C. (eds) Tuberculosis in Animals: An African Perspective. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-18690-6_15

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