A MODEL OF BOVINE TUBERCULOSIS-CONTROL IN DOMESTICATED CATTLE HEEDS

A typical strategy for disease control in domesticated animals involve s regular field tests and quarantine of infected herds. This prevents disease spread beyond the herd, while slaughter of diseased animals re moves the infection from within the herd. A model of bovine tuberculos is (Tb) control in cattle is examined, which includes 'test and slaugh ter' combined with herd isolation and vaccination. Herd status is repr esented by an integral equation expressing the duration of herd isolat ion. The current Tb situation in New Zealand is used as an example, an d vaccination strategy discussed. Extrapolation of existing management strategies indicate that a vaccine of efficacy greater than 96% would be required, reaching 95% of target Tb levels within six years. These results suggest that a complementary strategy of vaccination and vect or control may be more promising than vaccination alone.