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Effects of culling on spatial associations of Mycobacterium bovis
infections in badgers and cattle
Journal
Journal of Applied Ecology
Volume 44 Issue 5,Pages 897-908 Published Online: 31 Aug 2007
Authors
HELEN E. JENKINS 1 , ROSIE WOODROFFE 2,3*, CHRISTL A.
DONNELLY 1,3 , D.R. COX 3,4 , W.T. JOHNSTON 1 , F.J. BOURNE 3 , C.L.
CHEESEMAN 5 , R.S. CLIFTON-HADLEY 6 , G. GETTINBY 7 , P. GILKS 1 , R.G.
HEWINSON 6 , J.P. MCINERNEY 3 and W.I. MORRISON 8
1 Department of
Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College
London, St. Mary's Campus, Norfolk Place, London W2 1PG, UK;
2
Department of Wildlife, Fish & Conservation Biology, University of
California, One Shields Avenue, Davis, California 95616, USA;
3
Independent Scientific Group on Cattle TB, c/o Department for Environment,
Food & Rural Affairs, 1A Page Street, London SW1P 4PQ, UK;
4 Nuffield
College, New Road, Oxford OX1 1NF, UK,
5 Central Science Laboratory,
Sand Hutton, York YO41 1LZ, UK,
6 Veterinary Laboratories Agency,
Woodham Lane, Surrey KT15 3NB, UK,
7 Department of Statistics and
Modelling Science, University of Strathclyde, Richmond St, Glasgow G1 1XH,
UK; and
8 Centre for Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Royal (Dick) School
of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Roslin,
Midlothian EH25 9RG, UK
Abstract
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Bovine tuberculosis (TB), caused by Mycobacterium
bovis, has serious consequences for Britain's cattle industry.
European badgers (Meles meles) can transmit infection to cattle, and
for many years the British government culled badgers in a series of
attempts to reduce cattle infections. We investigated the impact of
badger culling on the spatial distribution of M. bovis infection in
badger and cattle populations in replicated areas in England.
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M. bovis infection was significantly clustered
within badger populations, but clustering was reduced when culls were
repeated across wide areas. A significant spatial association between
M. bovis infections in badgers and cattle herds likewise declined
across successive culls. These patterns are consistent with evidence
that badgers are less territorial and range more widely in culled
areas, allowing transmission to occur over greater distances.
-
Prior to culling, M. bovis infections were
clustered within cattle populations. Where badger culling was
localised, and in unculled areas just outside widespread culling
areas, cattle infections became less spatially clustered as badger
culling was repeated. This is consistent with expanded badger ranging
observed in these areas.
-
In contrast, clustering of infection in cattle
persisted over time on lands where badgers were repeatedly culled over
wide areas. While this lack of a temporal trend must be interpreted
with caution, it might reflect persistent infection within, and
continued transmission between, cattle herds in areas where
transmission from badgers to cattle had been reduced by badger
culling. Continued spatial association of infections in cattle and
badgers in such areas might partly reflect transmission from cattle.
-
Synthesis and applications: Our findings confirm
that badger culling can prompt spatial spread of M. bovis infection, a
phenomenon likely to undermine the utility of this approach as a
disease control measure. Possible evidence of transmission from
cattle, both to other cattle and to badgers, suggests that improved
cattle controls might yield multiple benefits for TB management.
Keywords
badger • bovine tuberculosis • disease ecology •
epidemiology • multihost • Mycobacterium bovis • perturbation • RBCT •
wildlife disease • zoonosis
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