Clarke AnneMarie, Byrne Andrew W, Maher James, Ryan Eoin, Farrell Fidelma, McSweeney Catherine, Barrett Damien
Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Dublin, Ireland.
Front Vet Sci. 2022 Feb 15;9:791661. doi: 10.3389/fvets.2022.791661. eCollection 2022.
Bovith recene tuberculosis (bTB) continues to be a pathogen of concern in several countries globally. Analysis of areas that have higher incidences of bTB outbreaks has demonstrated how risk is not equally distributed, and local data collection, analysis and participatory engagement is required to develop tailored approaches. The Burren, an internationally important heritage landscape, has been an area of higher bTB incidence for many years in Ireland, and owing to its unique geology and farming heritage a survey was developed to engage with local farmers to gain greater insight into farming practices and bTB control to inform tailored approaches. The survey gathered data on the farm and animal management approaches being used within the Burren, including local farming techniques like the use of "winterage" (grazing exposed limestone dominated uplands). Thematic analysis of free text responses was undertaken. Quantitative data were then explored using statistical models to assess associations with recent (<3 years) self-reported bTB breakdown risk. There was a high number of responses demonstrating a high degree of willingness to engage on the issue. Thematic analysis suggested that wildlife and its management (culling and vaccination), testing quality, and its impact on the bTB scheme, and pessimism around eradication were important themes. Statistical analysis suggested that increasing bTB risk was primarily related to increasing herd-size and the percentage of herd owner's land inaccessible to those attempting to locate badger setts. There was less evidence for associations relating to the amount of time, or which season (i.e., summer), farmers utilized "winterage". The results of the study will feed back directly to local bTB management plans and further stakeholder engagement and is an exemplar for local tailoring of national control measures in situations of high incidences of bTB outbreaks in particular areas.
牛型近期结核病(bTB)在全球多个国家仍然是一个令人担忧的病原体。对bTB疫情高发地区的分析表明,风险分布并不均衡,需要进行当地数据收集、分析和参与性参与,以制定针对性的方法。布伦地区是具有国际重要意义的遗产地,多年来一直是爱尔兰bTB发病率较高的地区,由于其独特的地质和农业遗产,开展了一项调查,与当地农民合作,以更深入了解养殖方式和bTB控制情况,为制定针对性方法提供信息。该调查收集了布伦地区正在使用的农场和动物管理方法的数据,包括当地养殖技术,如使用“冬季放牧”(在暴露的石灰岩为主的高地上放牧)。对自由文本回复进行了主题分析。然后使用统计模型探索定量数据,以评估与近期(<3年)自我报告的bTB疫情风险的关联。有大量回复表明人们非常愿意参与这个问题。主题分析表明,野生动物及其管理(捕杀和疫苗接种)、检测质量及其对bTB计划的影响,以及对根除的悲观情绪是重要主题。统计分析表明,bTB风险增加主要与畜群规模增加以及试图定位獾穴的人无法进入畜主土地的百分比增加有关。与农民使用“冬季放牧”的时间或季节(即夏季)相关的关联证据较少。该研究结果将直接反馈到当地bTB管理计划以及进一步的利益相关者参与中,并且是在特定地区bTB疫情高发情况下对国家控制措施进行当地定制的一个范例。