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The Hidden Burden of Bovine Tuberculosis
ScienceDaily (Oct. 18, 2012) — Up to 21% of herds clearing restrictions for bovine Tuberculosis (bTB) in Great Britain may be harbouring infection, according to a study published in PLOS Computational Biology this week.
A cross-disciplinary group of experts in the Disease Dynamics Unit, University of Cambridge and the Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency has used mathematical models to provide the first empirical estimates of the efficiency of cattle-based controls for bovine tuberculosis (bTB). These models were developed to help policy-makers understand and control bTB as part of a project funded by Defra.
bTB was previously transmitted from cattle to people in untreated milk. However, stringent measures, including pasteurization, introduced by the British government in the 1930s have practically eliminated the risk to people. A rigorous policy reduced disease in herds to minimal levels in the 1960s, but the past 25 years have seen the disease return; around 26,000 cattle were slaughtered for bTB control in England in 2011 alone.
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Science Daily
Original article Estimating the Hidden Burden of Bovine Tuberculosis in Great Britain in PLOS Computational Biology, 2012; 8 (10): e1002730 DOI
ScienceDaily (Oct. 18, 2012) — Up to 21% of herds clearing restrictions for bovine Tuberculosis (bTB) in Great Britain may be harbouring infection, according to a study published in PLOS Computational Biology this week.
A cross-disciplinary group of experts in the Disease Dynamics Unit, University of Cambridge and the Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency has used mathematical models to provide the first empirical estimates of the efficiency of cattle-based controls for bovine tuberculosis (bTB). These models were developed to help policy-makers understand and control bTB as part of a project funded by Defra.
bTB was previously transmitted from cattle to people in untreated milk. However, stringent measures, including pasteurization, introduced by the British government in the 1930s have practically eliminated the risk to people. A rigorous policy reduced disease in herds to minimal levels in the 1960s, but the past 25 years have seen the disease return; around 26,000 cattle were slaughtered for bTB control in England in 2011 alone.
"Around 38% of herds officially cleared of disease experience a recurrent incident within 24 months, suggesting that infection persists in herds," said lead author Dr Andrew Conlan.
The models also do not distinguish between the relative roles of the badger and cattle in the spread of bTB.
Read more:
Science Daily
Original article Estimating the Hidden Burden of Bovine Tuberculosis in Great Britain in PLOS Computational Biology, 2012; 8 (10): e1002730 DOI
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