A cluster of nine cases of cat TB were detected in 2013. It was confirmed in March this year that two humans had become infected.

Practitioners should have been told about TB cluster, say congress delegates

Government vets have been criticised for failing to inform their colleagues in private practice of the first ever cases of cat-to-human TB transmission.

The discussion took place during BSAVA Congress on Friday, April 4, where chief veterinary officers (CVO) attended a question and answer session with delegates.

Just days before the start of the congress, reports appeared across the veterinary and general press  regarding two cases of TB in humans who were infected by domestic cats.

During the session, Basingstoke practitioner Charlotte Clough said government vets had not informed local practices of nine cases of TB last year in domestic cats around Berkshire and Hampshire.

"The first I knew about it was when I read about it last week in the Daily Mail," she said.

Alick Simmons, the UK's deputy CVO said it was "unfortunate and regrettable" if local practices had not been told about the cases until they were reported in the Veterinary Record and general press. 

However, he added that there is an established route for the transmission of the pathogen to cats and then to owners.

"For anyone to suggest that this was the first time the profession was made aware of tuberculosis in cats in the UK would be misleading."

However, Mrs Clough said practitioners should be kept up-to-date with developments when it comes to rare conditions. Vets in companion animal practice must be made aware of potential animal and human health risks, she added.

She felt an email could have been sent to neighbouring practices long before the report appeared in the Veterinary Record.Another BSAVA delegate said the state service had showed a lack of interest in feline TB when she asked the Veterinary Laboratories Agency for advice.