Public Policies for the Control of Zoonotic Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis or TB is an infectious disease that has been rising rapidly in the world.Along with a rapid increase in regular TB cases zoonotic TB is also up surging.Several etiologic agents responsible for causing TB in animals have also been identified in human TB patients presenting strong evidence for laying the foundation of TB transmission through zoonosis.The more concerning portion is the lack and improper implementation of TB control policies made by local and international disease control bodies.Such situations have led to the emergence of increased TB prevalence while giving rise to antibiotic resistance among TB germs simultaneously.Concerning zoonotic TB human-animal interaction in the case of pets and domestic animals is the only chance of direct contact for TB transmission and hence needs the application of proper hygiene measures for its control.Another possibility to come in contact with TB germs is by using unpasteurized milk products and being undercooked which may contain viable germs, leading to TB infection if consumed.Although the risk and load of TB through zoonosis have reduced a lot in economically developed regions after initiatives like the extermination of bovine termination programs middle and lower-income countries are still struggling to fend it off due to lack of awareness and resources.Still, there is a need for international health security institutes to collaborate with local governments to introduce changes in laws that can help in limiting TB transmission.This chapter focuses on different strategies that have been implemented on a larger scale as public policies to mitigate zoonotic tuberculosis and fruitful outcomes have been gained from them.The developing countries or the countries that are still fighting to eliminate tuberculosis must implement these policies on a national level to get rid of tuberculosis and set forth freedom from this malady.