Skip to main content

Research Repository

Advanced Search

Bovine tuberculosis in Northern Ireland: Risk factors associated with time from post-outbreak test to subsequent herd breakdown

Doyle, L P; Gordon, A W; Abernethy, D A; Stevens, K B

Authors

L P Doyle

A W Gordon

D A Abernethy

K B Stevens



Abstract

Compulsory bovine tuberculosis testing has been implemented since 1959 in Northern Ireland. Initial rapid progress in the eradication of the disease was followed by a situation where disease levels tended to fluctuate around a low level. This study explores recrudescence of bovine tuberculosis (bTB) in Northern Ireland herds by assessing risk factors associated with time from the six-month post-outbreak skin test until a further herd breakdown. Bovine herds (n = 3377) were recruited in 2002 and 2003 and their survival analysed using Kaplan–Meier survival estimates and a Cox proportional hazards model, with follow-up extending to August 2008. Exclusion criteria applied for study entry were bTB infection in a contiguous herd, changing of post restriction test to one of a higher risk status or chronic infection. Chronic infection was defined as any situation where disclosure preceded the post-outbreak test by two years or more. The application of these exclusion criteria meant that herds recruited to the study were largely cleared of infection and not directly contiguous to other infected herds. Of the 3377 herds, 1402 (41.5%) suffered a further herd breakdown before the end of follow-up. Median survival time was 582 days (interquartile range = 336–1002 days). Breakdown severity (defined as the number of Single Intradermal Comparative Tuberculin Test (SICTT) reactors at disclosure test), local bTB prevalence, herd size and type were identified as significant risk factors (p < 0.05), as was the purchase of higher numbers (n > 27.38 per year) of cattle. Consistent with other studies this work shows bTB confirmation to not be predictive of a future herd breakdown. This work shows bTB history as not being a risk factor for a future breakdown. This result could be reflective of the exclusion criteria used in the study, which may have selected for incidents where historical status was of less importance.

Citation

Doyle, L. P., Gordon, A. W., Abernethy, D. A., & Stevens, K. B. (2014). Bovine tuberculosis in Northern Ireland: Risk factors associated with time from post-outbreak test to subsequent herd breakdown. Preventive Veterinary Medicine, 116(1-2), 47-55. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.prevetmed.2014.06.010

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Jun 17, 2014
Publication Date Sep 1, 2014
Deposit Date Nov 12, 2014
Publicly Available Date Mar 29, 2024
Journal PREVENTIVE VETERINARY MEDICINE
Print ISSN 0167-5877
Publisher Elsevier
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 116
Issue 1-2
Pages 47-55
DOI https://doi.org/10.1016/j.prevetmed.2014.06.010
Public URL https://rvc-repository.worktribe.com/output/1404941
Additional Information Corporate Creators : Agri-Food & Biosciences Inst, Belfast, Dept Agr & Rural Dev, N Ireland, Pretoria