Descriptive Epidemiology and Whole Genome Sequencing Analysis for an Outbreak of Bovine Tuberculosis in Beef Cattle and White-Tailed Deer in Northwestern Minnesota

Abstract

Bovine tuberculosis (bTB) was discovered in a Minnesota cow through routine slaughter surveillance in 2005 and the resulting epidemiological investigation led to the discovery of infection in both cattle and white-tailed deer in the state. From 2005 through 2009, a total of 12 beef cattle herds and 27 free-ranging white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) were found infected in a small geographic region of northwestern Minnesota. Genotyping of isolates determined both cattle and deer shared the same strain of bTB, and it was similar to types found in cattle in the southwestern United States and Mexico. Whole genomic sequencing confirmed the introduction of this infection into Minnesota was recent, with little genetic divergence. Aggressive surveillance and management efforts in both cattle and deer continued from 2010–2012; no additional infections were discovered. Over 10,000 deer were tested and 705 whole herd cattle tests performed in the investigation of this outbreak.

Epidemiology of Mycobacterium bovis Disease in Humans in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, 2002–2014

“…In comparison with our study, studies from the United States found that being foreign born (in particular, being of Hispanic ethnicity) and younger were independently associated with M. bovis when compared with M. tuberculosis ( 35 , 36 ). The difference in demographic characteristics of M. bovis patients in the United States and in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland may be explained by the fact that M. bovis in cattle or wildlife is not frequently reported in the United States ( 37 , 38 ) but is more common in neighboring Mexico ( 39 , 40 ). Thus, the epidemiology of human M. bovis in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland continues to be driven by the past and, to some extent, present prevalence of disease in cattle.…”

Whole Genome Sequencing for Detection of Zoonotic Tuberculosis in Queretaro, Mexico

“…Whole genome sequencing was performed at the National Veterinary Services Laboratory of APHIS-USDA (NVSL-APHIS-USDA) in Ames, Iowa, USA, according to their own protocols [25]. Isolates were sequenced using a MiSeq (Illumina, San Diego, CA) and the Nextera XT library preparation kit (Illumina, San Diego, CA).…”

Diseases associated with translocation of captive cervids in North America

“…To date, the only apparently successful eradication of M. bovis in wild cervids has been in Minnesota, which had by far the smallest and most recent of the 3 outbreaks. Greater than 10,000 Minnesota deer were tested, with the deer population in the affected area reduced by an estimated 55% in 4 years at an estimated cost of US$86 million in federal and state expenditures (Carstensen and DonCarlos , Glaser et al ). The future expenditure needed to achieve M. bovis eradication in Michigan has been estimated to be ≥US$1.5 million annually over the next 30 years (Cosgrove et al ); however, this would require taxpayer dollars, with concomitant uncertainty in public and political commitment to such a long‐term effort.…”