Identification and evaluation of risk factors associated to Mycobacterium bovis transmission in southeast hunting areas of central Portugal

Abstract

Identificación y evaluación de los factores de riesgo asociados a la transmisión de Mycobacterium bovis en zonas de caza del sureste del centro de Portugal Abstract Some European countries have great economic Tuberculosis-related losses, so disease eradication programs have been developed, which is the case of Portugal, especially on the southeast of central region. One of the most probable cause of the eradication fail is the existence of one well-defined wildlife-cattle interface scenario and consequently a Tuberculosis (TB) cross-transmission. Understanding the field risk factors associated with TB infection in this interface is fundamental to develop effective strategies to control the bovine TB in farms. In this study, a TB risk assessment protocol was applied to 8 extensive cattle farms. 153 risk factors were identified in the study: 94 were watering points (61.4%), 40 feeding points (26.2%), 12 food storage points (7.8%) and 7 of other factors (4.6%). These points were mostly classified as high-risk factors in wildlife-cattle interface, once they enable the aggregation, cross-transmission and reveal characteristics that permit the survival of mycobacteria. Our experience suggests that it is necessary a specific design farm biosecurity plan according to the risk factors present in the field. It is needed the involvement of farmers, hunters and health authorities to assist to some progress in this fight against TB dissemination.

Soil Science Challenges in a New Era: A Transdisciplinary Overview of Relevant Topics

“…140 Nevertheless, this natural-based solution is also causing health problems due to a reduction in soil and water quality and transmission of diseases via wildlife. 141,142 The origin of watering ponds is very ancient, probably from the times of the Roman Empire, although their broad dissemination is linked to the arrival of heavy machinery in the second half of the 20th century. 143 They are constructed to store water from different sources: direct rainfall and sub/surface runoff.…”

“…140 Nevertheless, this natural-based solution is also causing health problems due to a reduction in soil and water quality and transmission of diseases via wildlife. 141,142…”

The Association between Palmer Drought Severity Index Data and Tuberculosis-like Lesions Occurrence in Mediterranean Hunted Wild Boars

“…In this Peninsula there are different prevalences of TB for each region, where the Mediterranean climate region is the most affected. The Mediterranean Iberic regions have a favourable ecosystem for MTC mycobacteria development where habitat, population dynamics, and climate are important factors in the high prevalence of TB [3][4][5].…”

“…This capacity has been associated to its interface and indirect or direct contact with other animals, livestock, or wildlife, promoting the transmission of mycobacteria, especially at risk points such as waterholes and artificial feeders [15,16]. The international literature has reported a mixture of direct oral-nasal transmission and indirect transmission induced by feeding and watering locations where MTC mycobacteria can survive for long periods [5,17,18].…”

Identifying Problems in Watering Ponds with Different Purposes

“…The lack of economic profitability and the increasing worry of farmers for the quality of water that their livestock animals drink seem to be the reasons that many farms do not make a significant investment in the design of new watering ponds or the rebuilding of the existing ones. Another possible reason behind this fact is that watering ponds can be considered a hotspot of disease transmission (e.g., tuberculosis) between domestic and wild animals [25].…”