5.2 Geographical distribution and prevalence

Zoonotic tuberculosis caused by M. bovis has a worldwide distribution. It was reported by 78 of the 181 OIE reporting countries in 2017, distributed in every region of the world [41]. This figure is likely to be much lower due to underreporting, occasioned by inadequate surveillance. Globally, the prevalence has been estimated at 0.8% [42]. Using reports of zoonotic tuberculosis in humans as indication, the highest prevalence is found in African region followed by South East Asia, Western pacific, Eastern Mediterranean, Europe, and lastly Americas [43]. The disease has been largely controlled in developed world through systematic test and slaughter of infected animals, meat inspection surveillance in abattoirs, and milk pasteurization but complete eradication has been hindered by the existence of reservoirs of the agent in wildlife species [44]. In many developing countries, the disease remains largely neglected [45]. MOTTs have mainly been isolated coincidentally from animal lesions while searching for M. bovis. Isolation of MOOTs from cattle carcasses range approximately between 7 and 70% of total isolates [4, 5].
