Temporal patterns in bovine tuberculosis in a brushtail possum population contiguous with infected cattle in the Ahaura Valley, Westland

被引:15
作者
Coleman, JD
Cooke, MM
Jackson, R
Webster, R
机构
[1] Landcare Res, Lincoln 8152, New Zealand
[2] Massey Univ, Inst Vet Anim & Biomed Sci, Palmerston North, New Zealand
[3] Landcare Res, Palmerston North, New Zealand
关键词
possums; cattle; bovine Tb; epidemiology;
D O I
10.1080/00480169.1999.36127
中图分类号
S85 [动物医学(兽医学)];
学科分类号
0906 ;
摘要
Aims. To determine temporal and spatial patterns of bovine tuberculosis (Tb) in a population of brushtail possums (Trichosurus vulpecula) free from commercial and recreational hunting and living contiguously with livestock, and to relate these patterns to measures of possum health and density. Methods. Possums were trapped on Il lines located on a forest-rough grazing margin in the Ahaura Valley in Westland in 1979-80 and each August from 1992 to 1996, and were examined post mortem for gross lesions indicative of Tb. Infection levels in possums were compared with Tb test data from cattle grazing in the same area. Results. Tuberculosis was identified from the trapped sample of possums in 1980. Trapping of further possums on the same trap lines confirmed the presence of the disease each year from 1992 to 1996, and suggested a clustering of infection in time and space. The prevalence of Tb in possums declined with increasing possum population size and well being, and decreasing age. The prevalence of Tb in possums was highest in 1980 and 1992, and appeared to roughly coincide with similar upsurges in Tb in nearby cattle. Conclusions. Our results suggest that the exceptional levels of Tb recorded in possums in 1992 had a direct effect on possum numbers, and gave rise to very low trap catches in 1993-94. They also suggest that Tb can persist for several years in possum populations existing well below the 5% trap catch targeted by regional councils for Tb possum control.
引用
收藏
页码:119 / 124
页数:6
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