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Bovine paratuberculosis, caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (Map), is one of the most important diseases in dairy cattle. This slow, progressive infection is a chronic, contagious enteritis (inflammation of the intestine) that affects cattle and other ruminant species. It has significant economic consequences for producers due to reduced milk production and early slaughter of infected cattle. It is mainly introduced on farms through the purchase of infected animals. For the moment there is no treatment for the disease, but control strategies can be considered. In order to determine whether collective intervention is able to limit or stop the spread, a study of hypothetical scenarios has been carried out.

Thus, an epidemiological model was constructed to represent the dynamics of Map spread within herds and between herds in a region through trade. This model was used to evaluate, by simulation, the effectiveness of control strategies on the spread of Map in the Brittany region.
The results clearly indicate that the extinction of bovine paratuberculosis cannot be achieved in the medium term with the strategies currently available. However, it was possible to identify combinations of control measures to control the spread of Map.

While highlighting the difficulties involved in controlling Johne's disease, this work lays the foundations for flexible and effective tools to assist animal health decision-makers in defining regionally relevant control strategies.

Partners: this study was carried out as part of the Investissement d'Avenir ANR-10-BINF-07 (MIHMES) project, co-financed by the ERDF of Pays de la Loire, and coordinated by P. Ezanno of UMR BIOEPAR (Oniris-Inra), in partnership with UR MaIAGE (INRA) and the Groupements de Défense Sanitaire de Bretagne.

Related publication : Beaunée, G., Vergu, E., Joly, A., & Ezanno, P. (2017). Controlling bovine paratuberculosis at a regional scale: Towards a decision modelling tool. Journal of Theoretical Biology. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtbi.2017.09.012

Contacts

Scientific contact :

•  Pauline Ezanno UMR BIOEPAR

Associated Departments : Santé animale, Mathématiques et informatique appliquées

Associated Centres: Pays de la Loire, Jouy-en-Josas