The background for the assessment is that bovine tuberculosis was detected in Norway in 2022, after decades without the disease. The source of infection is still unknown.

Assignment

The Norwegian Food Safety Authority has commissioned VKM to assess the risk of introduction of Mycobacterium bovis to Norway, and the risk of the spread and establishment of bovine tuberculosis in Norwegian livestock and wild fauna. In addition, VKM shall assess the risk of infection to humans.

VKM shall also identify and assess any risk-reducing measure and diagnostic options for detecting infection.

Background

Bovine tuberculosis is a bacterial disease of animals and humans caused by M. bovis. It is listed as a category B disease in the EU, and there is therefore a requirement for compulsory eradication in accordance with the Animal Health Law.

There is great variation in the incidence of the disease in European countries. Norway has official free status for bovine tuberculosis since 1963. Norway monitors the occurrence of bovine tuberculosis through mandatory reporting, submission of organ samples from abattoirs and post mortem examinations, in addition there are health monitoring requirements for imports and imports, as well as testing at breeding stations.

M. bovis can infect a wide variety of hosts, both domestic and wildlife species, and even humans. Consequently, the zoonotic potential of bovis has raised public health concerns. Mycobacteria survive for a long time in the environment and grow slowly. The incubation period (time from exposure to symptoms and signs of disease) varies, and it can take a short time or months and years before the animal shows signs of disease. Diagnosis of bovine tuberculosis in live animals can be difficult and take a long time. Occurrence of infection can therefore be challenging both to detect and combat.

The project group consists of:

• Eystein Skjerve, member of the Panel for Biological Hazards (Scientific leader)
• Erik Bø-Granquist, member of the Panel for Animal Health and Welfare
• Tone Bjordal Johansen, external expert, Norwegian Institute of Public Health
• Truls Nesbakken, member of the Panel for Biological Hazards
• Ingrid Olsen, external expert, Oslo University hospital
• Amin Sayyari, member of the Panel for Animal Health and Welfare
• Morten Tryland, member of the Panel for Biological Hazards
• Kristin Opdal Seljetun, VKM Secretariat (Project manager)

VKM’s Panel for Animal Health and Welfare will approve the risk assessment, which is scheduled to be published February 28, 2025.