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1 January 2003 EVALUATION OF THE INFLUENCE OF SUPPLEMENTAL FEEDING OF WHITE-TAILED DEER (ODOCOILEUS VIRGINIANUS) ON THE PREVALENCE OF BOVINE TUBERCULOSIS IN THE MICHIGAN WILD DEER POPULATION
RoseAnn Miller, John B. Kaneene, Scott D. Fitzgerald, Steven M. Schmitt
Author Affiliations +
Abstract

A retrospective study was conducted to test the hypothesis that supplemental feeding of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) from 1995 to 1997 was associated with the prevalence of bovine tuberculosis (TB) in free-ranging deer in northeastern Michigan. Bovine TB prevalence data were obtained from an ongoing surveillance program, while data relating to supplemental feeding and other risk factors were collected via in-person interviews. A multivariable Poisson regression modeling approach was used to test the stated hypothesis while controlling for other risk factors. Of the 389 potential participants, 59% agreed to participate in the study. Results showed that supplemental feeding of deer was associated with bovine TB in white-tailed deer. Specific risk factors associated with increasing risk for bovine TB were locating feed sites in areas with high levels of hardwood forests (O.R.=1.8, 95% C.I.=1.3–2.4), other large-scale feeding sites in the area (O.R.=1.1, 95% C.I.=1.0–1.2), the number of deer fed per year (O.R.=3.9, 95% C.I.=1.4–11.4), the numbers of feed sites spreading grain (O.R.=14.7, 95% C.I.=2.2–98.9), the quantity of grains provided at the site (O.R.=1.4, 95% C. I.=1.1–1.7), and the quantity of fruits and vegetables provided (O.R.=1.4, 95% C.I.=1.2–1.7). Conversely, factors associated with decreasing risk of bovine TB were locating feed sites in areas with high levels of hardwood forests (O.R.=0.1, 95% C.I.=0.02–0.4), locating feed sites in forests (O.R.=0.05, 95% C.I.=0.01–0.4), and the level of sites providing grain (O.R.=0.1, 95% C.I.=0.01–0.3). The results of this study suggest that banning the practice of supplemental feeding is a valid policy for control of bovine tuberculosis in free-ranging white-tailed deer.

Miller, Kaneene, Fitzgerald, and Schmitt: EVALUATION OF THE INFLUENCE OF SUPPLEMENTAL FEEDING OF WHITE-TAILED DEER (ODOCOILEUS VIRGINIANUS) ON THE PREVALENCE OF BOVINE TUBERCULOSIS IN THE MICHIGAN WILD DEER POPULATION
RoseAnn Miller, John B. Kaneene, Scott D. Fitzgerald, and Steven M. Schmitt "EVALUATION OF THE INFLUENCE OF SUPPLEMENTAL FEEDING OF WHITE-TAILED DEER (ODOCOILEUS VIRGINIANUS) ON THE PREVALENCE OF BOVINE TUBERCULOSIS IN THE MICHIGAN WILD DEER POPULATION," Journal of Wildlife Diseases 39(1), 84-95, (1 January 2003). https://doi.org/10.7589/0090-3558-39.1.84
Received: 14 March 2001; Published: 1 January 2003
KEYWORDS
bovine tuberculosis
epidemiology
feeding
Mycobacterium bovis
Odocoileus virginianus
prevalence
transmission
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