This book recounts the biology of M. bovis, followed by the status of bovine Tuberculosis (bTB) in African countries, primarily based on zoonotic and epidemiological field reports. Since the accumulation of data is valueless unless it led to practicable control measures, emphasis is put on locally adapted protocols for future control of the disease. In order to systematically evaluate the knowledge base of bTB, Epidemiologic Problem Oriented Approach (EPOA) methodology was used. The methodology is composed of two triads: i) the problem identification/characterization triad, which is mainly descriptive in nature, and ii) the problem management/solution/mitigation triad, which is mainly geared toward problem management/solution (see figure). The first triad comprises three pillars: i) agent ii) host, and iii) environment and the second one: i) therapeutics/treatment, ii) prevention/control, and iii) health maintenance/promotion. The two triads are linked together by the diagnostic procedure linkage. The systematic and detailed studies of the 'Host-Agent-Environment' interactions are the building blocks to the understanding of agent transmission pathways and disease spread. These may include data about the disease status of the country, the nature of the disease agent and its hosts, the modes of transmission, the wildlife reservoirs in nature, persistence of infection, and agent survival in animal products and the environment. The problem identification and characterization triad identifies these interactions. Once a problem has been identified and well understood, the next step is to minimize the risk of transmission and spread of a disease. This area, referred to as problem solution/management triad, consists of problem management alternatives that rely upon prevention/control, and health maintenance/promotion of the disease in livestock, wildlife, and humans with the emphasis on resource-poor, developing countries in Africa.

Section 1 Human and animal tuberculosis in Africa.- Introduction.- The current status of bovine tuberculosis in Africa.- Bovine TB Zoonosis in Africa.- The control of Mycobacterium bovis infections in Africa: a One Health approach.- Tuberculosis in African Wildlife.- The Mycobacterium tuberculosis Complex in Africa.- Section 2.- Epidemiology of bovine tuberculosis in Africa.- The epidemiology of bovine tuberculosis in Africa.- Molecular epidemiology of Mycobacterium bovis in Africa.- The diagnosis of bovine tuberculosis.- The control of bovine tuberculosis in Africa.- Section 3 Country reports.- Bovine tuberculosis: Status, epidemiology, and public health implications in Burkina Faso.- The status of bovine tuberculosis in Cameroon.- Bovine tuberculosis in Egypt.- The status of bovine tuberculosis in Ethiopia: Challenges and opportunities for its future control and prevention.- Bovine tuberculosis in Ghana.- The status of bovine tuberculosis in Malawi.- Bovine tuberculosis in Nigeria: Historical perspective, burden, risk factors, and challenges for its diagnosis and control.- Bovine tuberculosis in Rwanda.- BTB control strategies in livestock and wildlife in South Africa.- Bovine tuberculosis in the Republic of Sudan: A critical review.- A changing landscape of bovine tuberculosis in Tanzania.- Holes and patches: An account of tuberculosis caused by Mycobacterium bovis in Uganda.- Bovine tuberculosis in Zambia.