Abstract
Free-ranging white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) are believed to be a self-sustaining reservoir for bovine tuberculosis (bTB) in northeastern Lower Michigan, USA. Although a comprehensive control program is in place and on-farm mitigation strategies to curtail bTB transmission between cattle and deer have been implemented for over a decade, cattle and deer continue to become infected with the disease. Thus, renewed motivation to eradicate bTB is needed if that is truly the goal. Recurrent detection of bTB in cattle in the region is of mounting concern for state and federal agricultural agencies, producers, and wildlife managers. Current on-farm mitigation efforts include fencing and refined cattle feeding and watering practices. Liberal removal of antlerless deer through hunter harvest and disease control permits (DCPs) issued to cattle producers and agency sharp shooters have also been ongoing. Although these strategies have merit and efforts to reduce prevalence in deer and occurrence of positive farms are elevated, additional actions are needed. Heightened management actions to combat bTB in deer could include deer vaccination programs, strategic habitat manipulations to redistribute deer from farms, and precision removal of deer in proximity to high-risk farms. Foundational research to address development and delivery of vaccine to free-ranging deer is complete. Strategic management and habitat manipulation could reduce and disperse local concentrations of deer while better meeting wildlife, forestry, and agricultural goals. The responses of local deer populations to targeted removal of individuals are generally understood and there is potential to reduce deer activity around agricultural operations while allowing them to persist nearby on natural foods. We summarize the history and progress to date, discuss the realized merit of novel management strategies, and suggest options to rid deer and cattle in Michigan of bTB.
Highlights
History of Bovine Tuberculosis in Michigan, USABovine tuberculosis, caused by the Mycobacterium bovis (M. bovis) bacterium was historically a disease among cattle that spilled over into free-ranging wildlife where it persists [1,2,3]
We summarize the history and progress to date, discuss the realized merit of novel management strategies, and suggest options to rid deer and cattle in Michigan of bovine tuberculosis (bTB)
If the incidence of bTB infected cattle herds continues to rise or fluctuate like it has in recent years, there is a chance that the 4-county Modified accredited zone (MAZ) status or even statewide status (TB Free) could be in jeopardy [5]
Summary
Integrated disease management: employing a variety of proven strategies simultaneously to most efficiently achieve management objectives. Mitigation measures to protect cattle: specific actions taken to reduce potential for direct and indirect transmission of M. bovis from wildlife to cattle. Management strategies for deer: specific actions designed to reduce potential for maintaining disease within free-ranging deer such as using hunters or professional sharpshooters to reduce deer numbers and eliminating the provisioning of anthropogenic food sources with the intent of attracting and maintaining deer concentrations. Negative impacts of supplemental feeding and baiting: anthropogenic feeding leads to artificially high and concentrated populations of wildlife which in turn increases disease transmission risk and prevalence. Setting realistic goals: developing a documented and wellinformed formal strategy designed to reach a common and achievable goal. Political will: varying stakeholder motivations must be considered, reconciled and presented to decision makers so they can empower the pursuit of common goals
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