The tuberculosis eradication programme in Ireland: A review of scientific and policy advances since 1988

More, Simon J.; Good, Margaret

doi:10.1016/j.vetmic.2005.11.022

Cited by 83 publications

(84 citation statements)

References 26 publications

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“…In Ireland, science and policy are closely linked (More and Good, 2006), with scientists addressing the what (What are the key factors that influence bTB risk, locally, in herds, among animals?) and the why (What is the biological basis behind the observations?)…”

Section: Linking Science and Policymentioning

confidence: 99%

Understanding and managing bTB risk: Perspectives from Ireland

Good

2015

Veterinary Microbiology

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There is substantial variation in herd risk for bovine tuberculosis (bTB) in Ireland, with most herds playing little to no role in the ongoing endemic. In infected areas, bTB persistence (affecting one or a group of herds) is a key feature of the infection. In this paper, we present our current understanding and management of bTB risk in Ireland, based on a detailed review of research and policy. There is close interaction between science and policy in Ireland, seeking both to understand and effectively manage bTB risk. Detailed research on bTB persistence is presented, including current understanding of the relative importance of different infection sources, which can include residual infection in cattle and/or re-infection, either from local sources or following cattle introduction. In recent years, there have been three primary drivers for policy change, including scientific advances, ongoing improvements to programme supports, and ongoing programme review. In this review, three key future programme challenges are identified. Although good progress is being made, eradication has not yet been achieved. Firstly, a key question concerns the additional effort that will be required, to move towards final eradication. Secondly, a percentage of non-infected animals are falsely positive to current testing methods. This is an ongoing challenge, given the imperfect specificity of test methods but will become more so, as the positive predictive value falls with reducing bTB prevalence. Finally, there is a need to re-engage with the farming community, so that they play a much greater role in programme ownership.

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Section: Linking Science and Policymentioning

confidence: 99%

Understanding and managing bTB risk: Perspectives from Ireland

Good

2015

Veterinary Microbiology

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“…The annual incidence of TB in Irish cattle herds (the number of previously uninfected herds identified with infection during the year divided by the total number of uninfected herds present at the start of the year) is around 6% and has remained relatively stable for several decades (http://www.agriculture.gov.ie). Efforts to eradicate the disease have not been successful [1]. Two large-scale field trials, the Four Area Project (FAP) in Ireland and the Randomized Badger Culling Trial (RBCT) in England, have shown that badgers contribute to the epidemiology of infection in cattle [2,3].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Spatial clustering of TB-infected cattle herds prior to and following proactive badger removal

Kelly

2010

Epidemiol. Infect.

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SUMMARYBovine tuberculosis (TB) is primarily a disease of cattle. In both Ireland and the UK, badgers (Meles meles) are an important wildlife reservoir of infection. This paper examined the hypothesis that TB is spatially correlated in cattle herds, established the range of correlation and the effect, if any, of proactive badger removal on this. We also re-analysed data from the Four Area Project in Ireland, a large-scale intervention study aimed at assessing the effect of proactive badger culling on bovine TB incidence in cattle herds, taking possible spatial correlation into account. We established that infected herds are spatially correlated (the scale of spatial correlation is presented), but at a scale that varies with time and in different areas. Spatial correlation persists following proactive badger removal.

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“…In the East Offaly project, a small buffer zone (1.5 km wide), as well as small rivers and roads, was established to divide the (project) removal area from the surrounding reference (control) area. It was recognised at an early stage that the buffer zone and small barriers were ineffective in controlling badger immigration (Eves 1993), with the potential for vation from outer (control) to inner (removal) areas (Eves 1999;McGrath 2001). The Four Area project was designed with this concern in mind.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The effectiveness of barriers to badger Meles meles immigration in the Irish Four Area project

Sleeman

Davenport

et al. 2008

Eur J Wildl Res

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This study's objective was to estimate the permeability of barriers to badger immigration during the Irish Four Area project. These barriers were at the boundaries of removal areas, where there was proactive culling of badgers. Data from the last 3 years of the study were used. Each length of barrier was allocated a space within the removal area. These were further sub-divided into spaces of 0-2, 2-5 km and sometimes of more than 5 km from the edge of the removal area. It is assumed that all, or some, of the badgers caught within these spaces came across the barriers. The barriers were one of the following: external buffers, sea, rivers and political boundaries. The total lengths of the barriers in all areas were: external buffer 128.5 km; sea 70.9 km; river 78.6 km; political 32.2 km. We assume three scenarios: (1) all badgers caught in the final 3 years were immigrants, (2) 75% were immigrants or (3) 50% were immigrants. We test these scenarios using chi-square tests, applying internal buffers of 1 km to counter movements of badgers across zones. Using this approach and multivariate analysis, we found that the permeability of barrier types varied, with sea and external buffers being the most effective barriers. The combined capture data are further examined by the sex ratio in each range, and then the sex ratio in total. Equal numbers of males and females were found, but the source populations were probably predominantly female. If badger management options are to achieve maximum benefits, then the field effectiveness of such barriers needs to be understood.

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The tuberculosis eradication programme in Ireland: A review of scientific and policy advances since 1988

Cited by 83 publications

References 26 publications

Understanding and managing bTB risk: Perspectives from Ireland

Understanding and managing bTB risk: Perspectives from Ireland

Spatial clustering of TB-infected cattle herds prior to and following proactive badger removal

The effectiveness of barriers to badger Meles meles immigration in the Irish Four Area project

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