A team at the University of Warwick has created the first ever national map for examining the spread of bovine TB. The results, recently published in the journal Nature, indicate there are several major factors responsible, including catching the disease from infected sites such as reservoirs and pastures, movement of herds and failed infection tests. Badgers do not play a major role in spreading the disease.
Researchers say bovine TB can be kept under control through measures such as culling infected animals, vaccinations and more rigorous testing.
The model was created with data from Defra and the Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency. It aims to understand the causes of the spread of bTB across the country. Professor Matthew Keeling, from the University of Warwick, said: “Our model offers a dispassionate, unbiased view of the spread of bTB through the cattle industry of Great Britain”.