Control measures to prevent the increase of paratuberculosis prevalence in dairy cattle herds: an individual-based modelling approach.

ABSTRACT: Paratuberculosis, a gastrointestinal disease caused by Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (Map), can lead to severe economic losses in dairy cattle farms. Current measures are aimed at controlling prevalence in infected herds, but are not fully effective. Our objective was to determine the most effective control measures to prevent an increase in adult prevalence in infected herds. We developed a new individual-based model coupling population and infection dynamics. Animals are characterized by their age (6 groups) and health state (6 states). The model accounted for all transmission routes and two control measures used in the field, namely reduced calf exposure to adult faeces and test-and-cull. We defined three herd statuses (low, moderate, and high) based on realistic prevalenc

SUBMITTER: Camanes G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6044053 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature