Hunting and bovine TB

[L&M]

I read a very interesting letter in our local paper, suggesting that hunting helps spread bovine TB.

'A typical hunt could consist of up to 20 horses, 30/40 dogs, quad bikes and foot followers. Since TB can survive in the soil for a long time it is very likely that it could be spread via the animals used for hunting. Hunts cross many boundaries between various farms and counties and hunting with dogs represents a serious bio security concern' (Powys County Times,March 2nd)

Do you think this has any validity?

 

[rhino]

Do you think this has any validity?

No, not really

Compared to the level of transmission through vector species I would think any possible transmission as a direct result of hunting would be almost entirely negligible.

I'm not saying it 'couldn't possibly happen'; I'm saying it is most certainly not a 'serious biosecurity concern'.

I am commenting on this as my MSc research project was on Bovine tb, not because I am pro-hunting.

 

[Orangehorse]

You could say the same for people walking their dogs over public footpaths, across several different farms. Since they would go more frequently than any hunt, I expect the TB scientists have already considered this.

 

[rhino]

You could say the same for people walking their dogs over public footpaths, across several different farms. Since they would go more frequently than any hunt, I expect the TB scientists have already considered this.

They have The epidemiology of Bovine tb is fairly complex.

 

[JFTDWS]

I'm not saying it 'couldn't possibly happen'; I'm saying it is most certainly not a 'serious biosecurity concern'.

Agreed.

Also a TB research person, not a hunting person...

I also dispute that TB can survive in the soil for any length of time... It certainly doesn't replicate in the soil. Certainly as far as our lab is concerned, TB is an obligate pathogen.

 

[lauraandjack]

Why is it always the ignorant/ bigoted/ seriously misinformed who seem to get their letters published in the local press?

Honestly, with this type of tripe being printed in the general press we are never going to get anywhere with tackling the problem of TB.

It's also time it stopped being referred to as bovine TB. It isn't just a cow problem any more! If TB was confined purely to bovines the current system of test and cull would be reducing the problem. It certainly isn't getting any better round my neck of the woods, and it doesn't take a genius to work out that there must be something other than cattle involved!