Can llamas catch bovine TB?

TB in Llamas and Alpacas: Why the Subject Is More Complex Than Many People Realise

The subject of bovine TB in llamas and alpacas is one that often generates strong emotions, particularly within the camelid community. Unfortunately, much of the discussion online quickly becomes either highly technical or deeply polarised, leaving many people confused about the actual risks involved.

As llama owners ourselves, we believe it is important to approach the subject calmly, factually and with compassion for everyone involved.

Can llamas catch bovine TB?

Yes, llamas and alpacas can contract bovine TB, usually through exposure to infected cattle, wildlife such as badgers or deer, or contaminated environments.

However, camelids are not generally considered to be a major reservoir species (animals capable of carrying and maintaining a disease within their population over time) in the same way that cattle are. In simple terms, llamas are more commonly viewed as unfortunate recipients of infection rather than the primary drivers of it.

Compared with cattle, bovine TB in llamas remains relatively uncommon in the UK.

Does a positive test automatically mean a llama is infectious?

No, and this is where much of the complexity begins.

There is an important difference between:

• exposure to TB

• evidence of infection

• active disease

• active infectious shedding*

• meaning an animal is not simply infected or testing positive, but is actively releasing infectious bacteria into the environment in a way that could potentially infect others.

A camelid may test positive without showing clinical illness or behaving as a major transmission risk.

This distinction became widely discussed during the well-known Geronimo case.

Exposure Is Not The Same As Infectious Disease

The Geronimo Case

Geronimo, an alpaca imported from New Zealand, became one of the most publicised bovine TB cases involving camelids in the UK.

Although he had previously tested clear before importation, subsequent UK testing indicated bovine TB infection. His owners strongly disputed the results, arguing that the testing methods produced false positives and that Geronimo showed no signs of active disease throughout a lengthy period of isolation.

The case sparked significant debate within the camelid world about:

• the reliability of camelid TB testing

• how positive results are interpreted

• whether evidence of infection always equals infectiousness

• the proportionality of control measures.

Did Geronimo have TB? Or Not?

The Geronimo case became deeply divisive not simply because of one alpaca, but because it exposed the difficult grey areas surrounding camelid TB testing and interpretation.

Following Geronimo’s euthanasia, continued debate remained over whether active bovine TB disease had ever been conclusively demonstrated. Supporters pointed to the inability to culture bacteria from post-mortem tissue samples as evidence that important questions still remained unanswered, while APHA maintained that the animal had twice tested positive using approved TB testing methods and should therefore still be regarded as infected.

For many camelid owners, the case became symbolic of a wider concern, the difference between evidence of exposure or infection, and evidence of active infectious disease capable of spreading to others.

The Human Impact on Camelid Owners

For many camelid owners, the debate around bovine TB is not theoretical, it is deeply personal.

Some owners have experienced the devastating loss of entire herds following positive TB testing, despite animals showing little or no outward signs of illness. Within the camelid community, these cases continue to raise difficult questions around testing, interpretation of results and proportionality of control measures.

The emotional impact on owners can be enormous, particularly for small independent trekking and therapy herds where animals are known individually and often work closely alongside people for many years.

Lisa later lost eight of her beloved trekking llamas following bovine TB testing, despite extensive veterinary involvement and enormous personal effort to protect and care for her herd. The emotional impact of the loss continues to be felt very deeply.

Why authorities still act cautiously

Although llamas are not generally considered major spreaders of bovine TB, the disease itself is taken extremely seriously in the UK.

Authorities therefore tend to manage confirmed or suspected camelid cases cautiously because:• infected camelids can occasionally pass infection on• testing is not perfect• it can be difficult to determine which animals may become infectious later• camelids often have close contact with humans and other animals

This is particularly important for trekking herds, petting environments and farms where camelids interact regularly with visitors or livestock.

Our own perspective as llama owners

We are fortunate to be in an area of the country with relatively low TB rates, although sadly some of our llama-owning colleagues in parts of the South West face a much greater challenge.

Like most responsible camelid owners, we take herd health, veterinary advice and biosecurity seriously. At the same time, we also understand why many llama and alpaca owners feel that the subject deserves thoughtful discussion rather than fear or sensationalism.

The reality is that camelid TB sits in a complicated middle ground:

Maintaining a Balanced Perspective

As with many areas of animal health, scientific understanding of bovine TB in camelids continues to evolve. Continued monitoring, sensible biosecurity, good husbandry and close liaison The British Llama Society with experienced camelid veterinarians all remain extremely important.

The camelid community in the UK is fortunate to benefit from dedicated specialist veterinary support and ongoing education. The British Llama Society, for example, supports continued professional development in camelid medicine, including sending vets annually to specialist camelid training courses in the United States.

For both new and experienced owners alike, organisations such as the British Llama Society and the British Alpaca Society provide valuable guidance, education and ongoing support surrounding camelid health and welfare.

It is also important to keep the overall level of risk in perspective. Cases of bovine TB in llamas and alpacas remain relatively uncommon in the UK, and responsible camelid owners work closely with veterinary professionals to maintain herd health and welfare standards. For visitors enjoying llama experiences, trekking or glamping stays, the risk of any zoonotic (disease passed from animals to humans) transmission is considered extremely low, particularly within well-managed herds operating with appropriate health oversight and husbandry practices.

Ultimately, responsible camelid ownership relies not on fear or sensationalism, but on informed discussion, continued learning and the shared goal of keeping these remarkable animals healthy, well cared for and properly understood.

If you'd like advice or guidance from an experienced camelid veterinary professional, please contact the RCVS.