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Contagious Tuberculosis
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This extremely thin elephant, Lota, was
diagnosed with tuberculosis in 1996. A photo taken in May
2001 shows a child petting her at a circus. A few months later,
this elephant was taken off the road and again given tuberculosis
treatment |
Protect yourself. A deadly and highly contagious human strain of tuberculosis
(Mycobacterium tuberculosis or TB) is infecting and killing
captive elephants. The National Institute for Occupational Safety
and Health has determined that USDA veterinary medical officers and
animal care inspectors who conduct elephant inspections may be at
risk for TB infection. TB transmission involving M. tuberculosis
from infected elephants to humans has been reported between zoological
workers and other animal handlers. TB infection of USDA Animal and
Plant Health Inspection Services personnel has been reported, although
inadequate reporting procedures failed to identify the source of transmission.
TB transmission from elephants to members of the public has never
been studied.
TB is airborne and spreads through tiny droplets in the air. According
to Dr. John Lewis of the International Zoo Veterinary Group, “[I]f
tuberculosis is diagnosed in an elephant there are clear public health
implications as the disease can be spread by close contact with infected
animals [and] people.” Circuses routinely allow members of the
public to feed, pet, and ride elephants.
Elephants in circuses are predisposed to tuberculosis because of routine
transport that may expose them to other infected elephants and because
of stress factors, including severe punishment, extreme confinement,
inconsistent water quality and food supply, and poor nutrition.
Infected elephants may exhibit no symptoms of TB or may suffer from
chronic weight loss, diminished appetite, chronic nasal discharge,
coughing, and intolerance to exercise.
TB is difficult to identify in elephants. Elephants are too large
to be x-rayed, skin tests are unreliable, and trunk wash cultures
only indicate whether the elephant has active TB. No test can determine
if an elephant is harboring a TB infection. Circuses may also intentionally
mislabel trunk wash specimens from infected animals, using a TBnegative
animal as the donor. Most circuses have been cited by the USDA for
failure to comply with TB testing requirements for elephants and handlers.
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"Make 'Em Scream": Watch Standard Elephant-Training Practices
Ringling Bros. Exposed
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