Bovine tuberculosis in domestic and wild mammals in an area of Dorset. II. The badger population, its ecology and tuberculosis status

Following a major outbreak of tuberculosis in cattle on a farm in Dorset, badgers were discovered to be infected with Mycobacterium bovis. Two hundred and forty sets were found in the 1200 hectares of the study area. The sets were found predominantly in areas of Portland Sand. A high prevalence of t...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Journal of hygiene 1982-10, Vol.89 (2), p.211-224
Main Authors: Little, T. W. A., Swan, C., Thompson, H. V., Wilesmith, J. W.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Badgers
Carnivora - microbiology
Cattle
Disease Outbreaks - veterinary
Disease Vectors
Ecology
England
Feces - microbiology
Female
Infections
Lesions
Lungs
Lymph nodes
Male
Meles meles
Mycobacterium bovis
Mycobacterium bovis - isolation & purification
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis - veterinary
Tuberculosis, Bovine - etiology
Tuberculosis, Bovine - transmission
Ungulates
Veterinary medicine
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Summary:Following a major outbreak of tuberculosis in cattle on a farm in Dorset, badgers were discovered to be infected with Mycobacterium bovis. Two hundred and forty sets were found in the 1200 hectares of the study area. The sets were found predominantly in areas of Portland Sand. A high prevalence of tuberculosis was found in the badger population which was removed and repopulation prevented for 3 years. The removal of the infected badgers led to the resolution of the problem in cattle. Re-colonization of the area has progressed slowly and the cattle have remained free from infection for a period of 5 years.
ISSN:0022-1724
2396-8184
DOI:10.1017/S0022172400070741