The shocking rise of TB in cows

New data shows bovine TB is on the rise in England, proving that independent meat inspectors are needed more than ever. The government has just published data showing 4,288 cows had to be slaughtered because of TB in March this year, up from the 3,900 in February, and continuing the general upward trend. Since 1996 – when the data goes back to ­– there has been a massive 980% increase in cows slaughtered because of TB. The disease is on the rise in England and Wales, but not in Scotland, which is considered ‘bovine TB free.’ But why does bovine TB matter? It is possible for humans to catch TB if they consume unpasteurised milk or dairy products from an infected cow. According to the government website the risk of infection is “very low,” though a recent trend in unpasteurised milk is causing some to worry that the disease could pass more easily to humans. Where bovine TB is having a big impact is on our economy. Slaughtering cows costs farmers time and money, and because the government compensates farmers when they have to kill their stock, it also costs the taxpayer. The average number of cows slaughtered because of TB each month in 1996 was 336, while the average so far in 2018 is 4,094 per month. That means the average in 2018 is 12 times the average in 1996. In 2017, there were 43,564 cows slaughtered because of TB, and so far this year there has already been 12,284 slaughtered. This huge rise is worrying, and according to the government no one is quite sure...
Source: UNISON Health care news - Category: UK Health Authors: Tags: P.S data Source Type: news