Abstract

Bovine tuberculosis (Tb) is the greatest disease problem facing the New Zealand cattle and deer industries. During the 1999/00 financial year, 1,212 (1.67%) cattle and deer herds were infected at some point, eight times the international accepted level for freedom from infection. The source of infection for cattle and deer herds is predominantly wild animals, particularly possums and in some parts of the country, ferrets. Areas where wild animals act as a source of Tb infection for cattle and farmed deer are classified as Vector Risk Areas (VRAs). Currently 33% of New Zealand’s land area is classified as VRA. Reducing the density of Tb vectors in VRAs, to minimise contact with cattle and farmed deer, is therefore a core requirement for controlling bovine tuberculosis in New Zealand …

P, Livingstone

Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production, Volume 61, Christchurch, 56, 2001