Abstract

Bovine tuberculosis (Tb) is the most important disease of livestock in New Zealand, and it occurs in cattle and deer herds at relatively high incidences by international standards. Brushtail possums are the major wildlife vector and maintenance host of Tb in New Zealand, and their infection is the single greatest barrier to the eradication of Tb from New Zealand livestock. The control of infected populations of possums underpins attempts to eliminate the disease from livestock. Possum populations infected with Tb occupy about 24% of New Zealand, which is also where about 75% of the reactor herds and Tb-infected cattle occur. Possums with Tb often exhibit lesions in their lungs and external lymph nodes and infection in these sites appears to be involved in the transmission of the disease to other possums. The mode of transmission of Tb from possums to livestock is unproven, but it is thought to occur when inquisitive stock encounter dying possums.

JD, Coleman

Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production, Volume 61, Christchurch, 57-59, 2001