Dynamics of tuberculosis in a naturally infected Badger population

Cheeseman, C. L.; Wilesmith, J. W.; Stuart, F. A.; Mallinson, P. J.

doi:10.1111/j.1365-2907.1988.tb00073.x

Cited by 96 publications

(116 citation statements)

References 12 publications

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“…A second objective, which commenced in earnest in 1981, was to study tuberculosis and its effects in a naturally infected badger population. Some of the findings of this study, which is still in progress, have been reported previously [3, [6][7][8][9].…”

Section: Introductionsupporting

confidence: 70%

“…The study area in Gloucestershire, covering an area in excess of 8 kM2, has been described in detail previously [6,9].…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The boundaries remained stable, provided that the population remained undisturbed [9,10]. Badgers within these groups were cage-trapped, marked by tattoo and ear-tags, weighed (kg), condition scored (1 to 4, 'poor' to 'very good') and clinically sampled, under ketamine anaesthesia, every 3 months as previously described [8,9,11,12].…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…It is probable that tuberculosis also contributed to the deaths of those dying from starvation (2), humane killing (3) and iatrogenic causation (2). Those noted as 'killed' (14) were mostly part of MAFF badger control operations (9). There was no significant difference in the sex or age distribution between the two groups of animals, although the distribution by primary cause was very different.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Mycobacterium bovis in the European badger (Meles meles): epidemiological findings in tuberculous badgers from a naturally infected population

1993

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SUMMARYThis study investigates the course of tuberculosis in a naturally infected badger population, its impact on the population and the risk of spread to other species in the light of capture data and post-mortem findings from 47 tuberculous badgers, stratified by age group and sex, accrued since 1975. The findings are compared with those for 260 badgers from the same population in whom no evidence of infection was detected. Detailed estimates of seasonal variations in bodyweight for uninfected male and female cub, yearling and adult badgers are presented and compared to the weights at post-mortem examination of the tuberculous badgers, in whom poor condition and weight loss were the principal presenting signs. Lesions were seen especially in the lungs and associated lymph nodes, and in the kidneys. Organisms were detected intermittently in faeces, urine, sputum and discharging bite wounds. Infected animals could survive for nearly 2 years and produce cubs successfully.

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Section: Introductionsupporting

confidence: 70%

“…The study area in Gloucestershire, covering an area in excess of 8 kM2, has been described in detail previously [6,9].…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Mycobacterium bovis in the European badger (Meles meles): epidemiological findings in tuberculous badgers from a naturally infected population

1993

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“…Another likely reason for the failure of previous strategies is that for the culling-based strategies, lactating females have been released when captured (White & Harris 1995b). The extent of pseudo-vertical transmission in the epidemiology of the disease is unclear (Cheeseman et al 1981(Cheeseman et al , 1988White & Harris 1995a), but not culling lactating females could help to maintain the infection within the population. Fertility control would avoid the need for the release of lactating females on humane grounds.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fertility control as a means of controlling bovine tuberculosis in badger ( Meles meles ) populations in south–west England: predictions from a spatial stochastic simulation model

White

Lewis

Harris

1997

Proc. R. Soc. Lond. B

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A spatial stochastic simulation model was used to assess the potential of fertility control, based on a yet-tobe-developed oral bait-delivered contraceptive directed at females, for the control of bovine tuberculosis in badger populations in south-west England. The contraceptive had a lifelong e¡ect so that females rendered sterile in any particular year remained so for the rest of their lives. The e¤cacy of fertility control alone repeated annually for varying periods of time was compared with a single culling operation and integrated control involving an initial single cull followed by annually repeated fertility control.With fertility control alone, in no instance was the disease eradicated completely while a viable badger population (mean group size of at least one individual) was still maintained. Near eradication of the disease (less than 1% prevalence) combined with the survival of a minimum viable badger population was only achieved under a very limited set of conditions, either with high e¤ciency of control (95%) over a short time period (1^3 years) or a low e¤ciency of control (20%) over an intermediate time period (102 0 years). Under these conditions, it took more than 20 years for the disease to decline to such low levels. A single cull of 80% e¤ciency succeeded in near eradication of the disease (below 1% prevalence) after a period of 6^8 years, while still maintaining a viable badger population. Integrated strategies reduced disease prevalence more rapidly and to lower levels than culling alone, although the mean badger group size following the onset of control was smaller. Under certain integrated strategies, principally where a high initial cull (80%) was followed by fertility control over a short (1^3 year) time period, the disease could be completely eradicated while a viable badger population was maintained. However, even under the most favourable conditions of integrated control, it took on average more than 12 years following the onset of control for the disease to disappear completely from the badger population.These results show that whilst fertility control would not be a successful strategy for the control of bovine tuberculosis in badgers if used alone, it could be e¡ective if used with culling as part of an integrated strategy. This type of integrated strategy is likely to be more e¡ective in terms of disease eradication than a strategy employing culling alone. However, the high cost of developing a suitable fertility control agent, combined with the welfare and conservation implications, are signi¢cant factors which should be taken into account when considering its possible use as a means of controlling bovine tuberculosis in badger populations in the UK.

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