Research team

Amy Thomas, Ellen Brooks-Pollock, Sam Abbott, Noreen Hopewell-Kelly, Anu Goenka, Ed Moran, Alice Halliday, Rosy Reynolds, Anna Dacey, Lucy Wheeler, Nigel Noel, Paul Virgo

Collaborators

UK Health Security Agency, World Health Organization (WHO), North Bristol NHS Trust

About the research

Mycobacterium bovis is the causative agent of bovine tuberculosis (bTB). Whilst bTB can affect a range of animals, it mainly affects cattle in the UK. Transmission of M. bovis to humans results in a form of tuberculosis called zoonotic tuberculosis (zTB).

A major public health challenge regarding zTB is not knowing its true prevalence. Globally, zTB cases occur mostly in low-income countries or minority and migrant populations within high-income countries. In the UK, cases are sporadic and may be unreported, particularly for humans who are at risk of exposure, such as those in frequent contact with M. bovis infected cattle.

We want to understand more about how zTB is distributed and assess the potential risk to public health. To do this, we are conducting field studies, alongside data analysis and mathematical modelling.

The ZooTB study

We are conducting a study to estimate the prevalence of zTB and assess the potential risk to public health in Southwest England, a bTB high risk area.

If you would like to learn more about the ZooTB study and how to take part, visit the ZooTB study website or contact a member of the research team at zootb-study@bristol.ac.uk. Thank you.

Help shape our research

We have ongoing opportunities for public involvement. If you are interested in helping us develop our research, we’d love to hear from you! The role is open to those who have regular contact with cattle, or a history of working with cattle.

Find out more about how to get involved.

Funder

This project is a Seed Award in Science funded by The Wellcome Trust.