The dynamics and control of bovine tuberculosis in possums.
A model for the dynamics of an infectious disease in a wild animal population is analysed. The model incorporates susceptible, infected but not infectious, and infectious classes, with no recovery from disease, density-dependent regulation of host birth and death rates, and pseudo-vertical transmission. The existence and local stability of equilibrium levels are determined. Expressions for the intensity of three alternative control measures - the culling, sterilization, and vaccination of host animals - required to eradicate the disease are obtained. Finally, the model is applied to possible control measures against bovine tuberculosis infection in possums in New Zealand.
Roberts
M G
MG
Wallaceville Animal Research Centre, Upper Hutt, New Zealand.
D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D003140:Communicable Disease Control; D008433:Mathematics; D008954:Models, Biological; D009163:Mycobacterium bovis; D009520:New Zealand; D009893:Opossums; D013242:Sterilization; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary*; D014611:Vaccination