Developing a framework for risk-based surveillance of tuberculosis in cattle: a case study of its application in Scotland

Bessell, P.R., Orton, R. , O'Hare, A., Mellor, D.J. , Logue, D. and Kao, R.R. (2013) Developing a framework for risk-based surveillance of tuberculosis in cattle: a case study of its application in Scotland. Epidemiology and Infection, 141(02), pp. 314-323. (doi: 10.1017/S0950268812000635)

Abstract

Due to its substantially lower prevalence of bovine tuberculosis (bTB) relative to other areas of Great Britain, Scotland was designated as an officially (bovine) TB-free region in 2009. This paper investigates resultant possibilities for reducing surveillance by developing risk-based alternatives to current 4-year testing of eligible herds. A model of freedom of infection was used to develop strategies that specifically tested herds that are at risk of infection but would probably not be identified by slaughterhouse meat inspection. The performance of current testing is mimicked by testing all herds that slaughter fewer than 25% of their total stock per year and regularly import animals from high-incidence areas of England and Wales or from Ireland. This system offers a cost reduction by requiring 25% fewer herd and animal tests and 25% fewer false positives.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Kao, Professor Rowland and Bessell, Dr Paul and Mellor, Professor Dominic and Orton, Dr Richard and Logue, Professor David and O'Hare, Dr Anthony
• Authors: Bessell, P.R., Orton, R., O'Hare, A., Mellor, D.J., Logue, D., and Kao, R.R.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine; College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity > Centre for Virus Research
• Journal Name: Epidemiology and Infection
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• ISSN: 0950-2688
• ISSN (Online): 1469-4409
• Published Online: 26 April 2012
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2012 Cambridge University Press
• First Published: First published in Epidemiology and Infection 141(02):314-323
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License