Bovine tuberculosis: A silent threat While mammalian tuberculosis affects many species, bovine tuberculosis sits at the center of the problem10 September 2025 10 September 2025 4 minute read 4 minute read By: By: Chris WrightEditor's note: The following is an excerpt of a report by the World Organization for Animal Health: The State of the World’s Animal Health 20251. Mammalian tuberculosis (mTB), primarily caused by Mycobacterium bovis, is far more than a veterinary concern: it is a global health issue in the truest sense. While mTB affects a wide range of species, bovine tuberculosis sits at the center of the problem. The bacille Calmette-Guérin vaccine (BCG) – a live, attenuated strain of M. bovis – has been administered to humans for over a century. – The State of the World’s Animal Health 2025.