Mycobacterium bovis surveillance

An enhanced system for the surveillance of Mycobacterium bovis in humans began in 1999 to complement the existing mycobacterial isolate surveillance system (MycobNet) which gathers data from reference laboratories in the UK.

The aim of enhanced M. bovis surveillance is to give a clearer understanding of the epidemiology of M. bovis, with particular reference to potential farming links, and to inform UK policy. The proportion of TB cases in the UK caused by M. bovis infection is small; the majority of cases are in UK-born people aged 65 and over, most likely due to reactivation of latent infection acquired before the routine pasteurisation of dairy products.

Further information on M. bovis

M. bovis TB data by UK country and English region
Enhanced Mycobacterium bovis surveillance data showing case numbers by UK country and English region from 1994 to 2010.
Added/updated: 2 May 2012
M. bovis TB data by age and place of birth
Enhanced Mycobacterium bovis surveillance data showing case numbers in the UK by age group and place of birth from 1994 to 2010.
Added/updated: 2 May 2012
Percentage of TB caused by M. bovis
Enhanced Mycobacterium bovis surveillance data showing the percentage of culture-confirmed TB in the UK caused by M.bovis by age group, covering 1994-2010.
Added/updated: 2 May 2012