The Role of Badgers in the Epidemiology of Infection (tuberculosis) in Cattle in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland: Current Perspectives on Control Strategies

Overview

Journal Vet Med (Auckl)

Specialty Veterinary Medicine

Date 2018 Aug 14

PMID 30101094

Citations 9

Authors

Deirdre Ni Bhuachalla

Leigh Al Corner

Simon J More

Eamonn Gormley

Affiliations

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Abstract

Bovine tuberculosis (TB), caused by infection with , is a persistent problem in cattle herds in Ireland and the United Kingdom, resulting in hardship for affected farmers and substantial ongoing national exchequer expenditure. There is irrefutable scientific evidence that badgers are a reservoir of infection and are implicated in the transmission of infection to cattle. A range of options for the control of TB in badgers is currently available or under development including culling of badgers, vaccination of badgers and cattle, and improved biosecurity to limit contact between the two species. It is unlikely that the eradication of TB from cattle will be achieved without the reservoir of infection in badgers being controlled. The chances of success will, however, improve with greater knowledge of the disease in both species and an understanding of the epidemiological drivers of the transmission of infection between badgers and cattle.

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