Anisotropic spatial clustering of TB in cattle - the implications for control policy

Abstract

Bovine TB is a disease that affects cattle and the wildlife badger, species Meles meles, in Ireland and the UK, and badgers have been implicated in the spread of the disease in cattle. Efforts to eradicate the disease that have included localized badger culling, have not been successful. In a study to understand how the disease spreads, Kelly and More [1] determined that the disease spatially clusters in cattle herds and estimated the practical spatial ranges at which this occurs. We extend this work by examining possible anisotropy in clustering and the consequences for TB control policy.