Effective contact of cattle and feral swine facilitating potential foot-and-mouth disease virus transmission in southern Texas, USA rangeland /
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| Other Authors: | , |
| Format: | Thesis eBook |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
[College Station, Tex.] :
[Texas A&M University],
[2010]
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | Link to OAK Trust copy |
| Abstract: | The focus of this investigation was to address the vulnerability of rangeland animal agriculture in the United States (U.S.) to the introduction of agents of foreign animal diseases (FAD); particularly, foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDv). I examined rates of inter- and intra-species contacts between domestic cattle and feral swine (Sus scrofa) on rangeland in southern Texas. This study provides empirical data necessary for better epidemiological modeling of potential transfer of diseases between infected and susceptible rangeland animals. My objective was to estimate the rate of effective inter- and intra-species direct and indirect contact (i.e., animal contact that could result in effective disease agent transmission) as a function of time and space, relative to biological and ecological aspects of transmission. An extensive literature review of biological and ecological characteristics, conducive to effective contact that are sufficient to permit transmission of the infectious agent (Abbey 1952), was conducted. My objective was achieved through systematic data collection and analysis of empirical animal contact data recorded through use of animals fitted with global positioning system (GPS) radiotelemetry collars. Geospatial and temporally referenced inter- and intra-species contact data were analyzed using 1) basic descriptive statistics, 2) unadjusted inferential statistics, 3) stratified analysis, and 4) multivariable models. My investigation produced results in accord with generally accepted notions in addition to significant findings that interestingly counter current preconceptions. Intraspecies contact was more common than inter-species, with indirect contact occurring more frequently than direct. Direct contact between species occurred extremely rarely. The most important factors that influenced the rate of contact for both species were water, winter, and cultivated fields. Information regarding probability of infectious agent survival and transfer will be used in the future to advance current epidemiological models, including geographicautomata (Ward et al. 2007: In Press) and cellular automata models (Doran and Laffan 2005) to better understand and manage integrated domestic cattle and free-ranging wildlife populations. Such modeling provides essential and necessary knowledge for developing prevention, detection, response, and recovery strategies - employed in advance, during, and after a disease outbreak, respectively. |
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| Item Description: | "Major Subject: Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences" Title from author supplied metadata (automated record created 2010-03-12 12:08:51). Electronic resource. |
| Physical Description: | 1 online resource. |
| Bibliography: | Includes bibliographical references. |