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- TB Spreading Through Wildlife
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- By Andrew Watts
FarmersWeekly Interactive
7-16-4
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- Bovine tuberculosis has spread further into wildlife
populations than was previously thought, according to the findings of a
newly published report.
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- The report entitled 'The Risk To Cattle From Wildlife
Species Other Than Badgers In Areas Of High Herd Breakdown Risk' was published
last week (9 Jul 2004) amid allegations that its findings were so controversial
DEFRA had chosen to release it quietly.
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- Carried out by the Central Science Laboratory, the study
revealed that "deer could pose a significant risk" of spreading
bovine TB to cattle and that other wildlife species were infected.
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- The CSL's 4-year study in 7 English counties is the largest
systematic survey for _M. bovis_ ever carried out in the UK.
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- It involved investigating nearly 5000 carcasses and,
while prevalence of the disease was greater in badgers, risks posed by
deer should no longer be overlooked, it stated.
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- The report estimated the UK deer population -- including
farmed deer -- to be between 1.25 million and 2.6 million, compared with
about 300 000 badgers. Between 1 and 15 percent (12 500-390 000) of the
deer could be infected with bovine TB.
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- While 4.4 percent of the 504 fallow deer tested displayed
symptoms, 16 percent of whole carcasses available tested positive.
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- The report also noted that deer were particularly vulnerable
to bovine TB and often shared pasture, feed and water troughs with cattle.
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- The report was critical of the government, its predecessor,
and DEFRA and its predecessor MAFF.
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- The ministry knew of the high susceptibility of deer
to TB 10 years ago but only recently had DEFRA taken action.
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- MAFF left 2 herds of deer on the same premises under
movement restrictions for 11 years after bovine TB was found in a red deer
hind. MAFF declined to examine the carcasses of the deer when they were
culled after foot-and-mouth in 2001, but owners' private tests revealed
likely bovine TB in more than 30 percent of stock, it said.
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- The National Federation of Badger Groups' chief executive
Elaine King said it was strange the report had been posted on the DEFRA
website late with no press release or briefing.
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- "It's now quite clear that bovine TB is endemic
in wildlife across the UK," said Dr King.
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- The study confirmed the presence of TB in certain species
and showed it had spread to the yellow-necked mouse, wood mouse, shrew,
polecat, muntjac and stoat.
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- http://www.fwi.co.uk/article.asp?con=15327&sec=18&hier=2
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- [2]
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- Select Committee on Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
13th Report for Session 2003-2004, 13 Jul 2004 - Bovine TB
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- UK Parliament web site, accessed 27 Jul 2004 [edited]
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- Summary
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- Bovine TB has been, at least until very recently, a growing
problem in the United Kingdom. It is a disease which not only brings suffering
to animals but adversely affects farmers in economic and other terms.
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- If culling badgers, held to be at the root of the problem,
is Government's 'Plan A', in this inquiry we looked primarily at the measures
which might make up a 'Plan B' response to the problem. Our focus has been
vaccination of cattle and badgers; the gamma interferon test; husbandry;
trace elements; and the lessons to be learnt from Ireland. We have reviewed
developments in all these areas, and have made recommendations about these
aspects of 'Plan B'.
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- Our conclusion is that a decision about culling badgers
must await the outcome of the Randomised Badger Culling Trial. But there
are a number of promising steps forward that might be taken now. We recommend
that - the government move quickly to testing vaccination in badgers; -
assessment of the gamma interferon test be completed urgently, and the
government pay incentives to farmers to recruit them to the current field
trial; - if the gamma interferon test proves efficacious it should be adopted,
and policy should be adapted to its use, particularly in terms of movement
restrictions on cattle; - research into cattle vaccines should continue,
and that greater effort and resources be devoted to such research.
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- We also recommend that farmers take note of the Minister's
comments about good animal husbandry and take steps to ensure that they
follow best practice.
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- http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200304/cmselect/cmenvfru/638/638.pdf
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- = ProMED-mail promed@promedmail.org
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- The full 85-page report, including formal minutes, oral
and written evidence, can be read at the above URL.
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- For background on bovine tuberculosis in wildlife, see
moderator's comments in ref 20021208.6015. - Mod.AS
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- Patricia A. Doyle, PhD Please visit my "Emerging
Diseases" message board at: http://www.clickitnews.com/ubbthreads/postlist.php?
- Cat=&Board=emergingdiseases
- Zhan le Devlesa tai sastimasa
- Go with God and in Good Health
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