Rare Tuberculosis Strain Returning

Tuberculosis (TB) experts in Southern California have been keeping track of a rare strain of bacteria, Mycobacterium bovis, which causes TB when ingested. Mycobacterium bovis was largely eradicated in the US in the 1900s, but it's making a resurgence due to improperly prepared dairy products. “I wouldn’t want to characterize it as increasing in epidemic proportions. But it’s clearly being seen, and being seen in places where people drink unpasteurized milk and eat unpasteurized dairy products,” said Dr. Kathleen Moser, director of tuberculosis control programs for San Diego County. The problem stems from infected cattle in Mexico where M. bovis infects an estimated 17% of the herds. Cheeses made from infected milk can also spread the disease. Because this type of strain is spread largely by ingestion of the bacteria, human-to-human contact should be less of a concern than making sure that the dairy products you consume come from a reputable source. Full story.