Control of Zoonotic TB: The need for multidisciplinary one health framework

The increasing incidence of human tuberculosis (TB) caused by new mycobacterial strains such as Mycobacterium orygis and the syndemic relationship between TB and other endemic diseases have renewed interest in zoonotic TB (zTB) especially in Africa where control strategies and data are very limited. Furthermore, the animal-adapted mycobacterial species are intrinsically resistant to some of the first-line anti-TB medications. The main TB control tool using meat inspection and condemnation of suspected infected meat has not yielded the needed impact to reduce animal-to-human transmissions. There is therefore the need for a renewed energy involving the use of transdisciplinary measures to reduce the risk of the disease in both humans and animals. Such a measure requires scientific, sociocultural, and economic efforts to implement and sustain effective strategies for prevention and control of zoonotic TB transmission. In this chapter, we have elaborated on the importance of using the "One Health" concept in the control of zTB.