Beef TB outbreak in Nebraska

Federal experts say tuberculosis is a contagious disease of animals and humans, caused by three types of bacteria.
The disease is easily transmitted through a herd of cattle, which often share breathing space. It causes severe coughing, fatigue, emaciation and debilitation.

SHOOT: Tuberculosis can be transmitted between cattle and humans.

clipped from news.yahoo.com LINCOLN, Neb. – Nebraska and federal officials are trying to find out whether bovine tuberculosis has spread from a herd of beef cattle in north-central Nebraska's Rock County. The herd has been quarantined and officials say the Nebraska Department of Agriculture is working with the U.S. Department of Agriculture also want to find out how the disease was introduced to the herd. "We don't know the extent of the infection," said Michael Kelsey, executive vice president of the Nebraska Cattlemen. "Is it one herd, is it three herds? It's far too early to say what the effect might be." Kamm said the outbreak was discovered three weeks ago during routine tests of cattle by a federal inspector at a slaughterhouse. She said she didn't know where the slaughterhouse was located. Bovine TB can be transmitted from livestock to humans, but that's exceedingly rare. It can be transmitted to other animals.