Tuberculosis

• This is a rare, slowly progressing disease
• Infected animals may have no signs or be in poor body condition
• Small, multiple, round, gritty lumps in lymph nodes and on lungs and rib cage are typical

• Inhaling bacteria from open wounds, fluids from the mouth and nose, or feces of an infected animal
• Directly through breaks in the skin (rare)

Gets worse with time; fatal if untreated

• If you see multiple pale (tan or yellow) rounded lumps on lungs, rib cage or internal organs in bison or cervids:
• STOP HANDLING THE ANIMAL
  • Wash your hands
  • Wear a proper filter mask
  • Contact The North Dakota Game and Fish Department, or State Department of Health

• Depending on where lesions are located:
  • Lungs – Prolonged illness with fever, cough, night sweats, weight loss; Occasionally will cough up blood
  • Intestines – Stomach pain, diarrhea
• Symptoms get worse with time
• Untreated disease can be FATAL, seek medical attention
• Immunosuppressed people are at a higher risk

• Bacteria called Mycobacterium bovis in cattle, elk and deer and Mycobacterium avium in birds