EPIZOOTIC OF MYCOBACTERIUM-BOVIS IN A ZOOLOGIC PARK

An epizootic of Mycobacterium bovis in a zoologic park resulted in the death of 4 southern white rhinoceroses and 2 colobus monkeys. Zoo per sonnel were detected that had positive intradermal tuberculin skin tes t results after exposure to mycobacterial-infected animals. On the bas is of DNA fingerprinting, all 3 mycobacterial isolates (from 1 rhinoce ros and 2 monkeys) were determined to be genetically similar and proba bly originated From the same source. The 3 animals (1 rhinoceros and 2 colobus monkeys) that had confirmed infections lived in separate, but adjacent, areas. Aerosolization of bacteria during routine cleaning w as believed to have contributed to the unusual distance between infect ed animals. Tuberculosis has reemerged as a major disease problem in h uman and veterinary medicine.