AN OUTBREAK OF BOVINE TUBERCULOSIS IN A FREE-LIVING AFRICAN BUFFALO (SYNCERUS CAFFER-SPARRMAN) POPULATION IN THE KRUGER-NATIONAL-PARK - A PRELIMINARY-REPORT

Bovine tuberculosis was diagnosed for the first time in an African buf falo (Syncerus caffer) in the Kruger National Park (KNP). The index ca se was a 2-year-old, emaciated bull which had been found recumbent and obviously ill, near the south-western boundary of the KNP, in July 19 90. During a follow-up random sampling of 57 buffalo, from two herds i n close proximity to this initial case, nine more suspect cases were f ound. Mycobacterium bovis was isolated from a lung and thoracic lymph node, respectively, of two of these cases. Histopathologically, all ni ne of these animals had granulomatous lesions compatible with a diagno sis of mycobacteriosis, but acid-fast organisms could be demonstrated in only one animal.