Large Game as a Key Factor in the Maintenance of Tuberculosis in a Multi-Species Scenario in Southern Portugal: A Preliminary Statistical Study
by
, ,
Maria Pureza Ferreira
1
,
Madalena Vieira-Pinto
2,3,4
,
Yolanda Vaz
1 and
Ana Carolina Abrantes
2,5,* 1
CIISA-Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Lisbon (FMV/ULisboa), 1300-477 Lisboa, Portugal
2
CECAV-Animal and Veterinary Research Centre, Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro University (UTAD), 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
3
Department of Veterinary Science, Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro University (UTAD), 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
4
Associate Laboratory for Animal and Veterinary Science (AL4AnimalS), 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
5
Department of Veterinary Science, Évora University, 7000-083 Évora, Portugal
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Zoonotic Dis. 2025, 5(3), 21; https://doi.org/10.3390/zoonoticdis5030021
Submission received: 3 February 2025
/
Revised: 15 July 2025
/
Accepted: 17 July 2025
/
Published: 22 July 2025
Simple Summary
In a multi-species scenario, mainly in Mediterranean environments, large game species, such as wild boar and red deer, are a crucial component in the maintenance of tuberculosis, as inferred in this preliminary statistical study. From the perspective of TB mitigation in a scenario of marked closed-contact game–livestock interface, it is necessary to know the factors that allow the maintenance of the disease (it is noted that 23.3% of the analyzed areas had TB in both domestic animals and large game), including making a correct identification of the species present and the diagnosis of TB in them. This is even more important from a One Health perspective, where one of the susceptible hosts is humans, and there could be zoonotic transmission of TB at this interface. A truly inclusive strategy must be considered, encompassing all stakeholders and environmental and animal factors present that enhance the maintenance of TB in a marked game–livestock–human interface.
Abstract
Knowing the specific characteristics and animal tuberculosis risk factors present and applying good practices are crucial points in combating tuberculosis (TB) in a Mediterranean multi-species scenario. The objective of this work is to statistically analyze the association between the existence of TB in areas with a marked game–livestock interface, with various complementary factors found in 30 extensive farms in southern Portugal, such as the number of animals of each large game species present in the territory and the frequency of their sightings. Collecting this information, an inferential statistical analysis was conducted to obtain information on the association type between TB occurrence in the farms and the presence of highlighted factors. The main statistical results show an association between the presence of large game species and TB occurrence in the analyzed areas. Thus, in a multi-species scenario, large game species are a crucial component in TB maintenance, namely when stricter contact occurs. This could be one of the reasons why TB continues to circulate and why the eradication process is so difficult; the risk of zoonotic transmission is evident. It is crucial to apply biosecurity tools to improve the alignment and structure of natural resource management strategies.
Keywords:
cattle; infectious disease; interface; Mediterranean environment; red deer; wild boar
