Survey of potential wildlife reservoirs for Mycobacterium paratuberculosis : final report prepared for MLA by NSW Department of Natural Resources and Environment.

Abstract

In any disease control program eradication of disease depends upon the protection of disease free animals from potential sources of infection. Sylvatic hosts have the potential to thwart eradication campaigns. An assessment of the risk posed to Johne's disease control by wildlife was conducted in two surveys, one an examination of rabbits in Victoria and another of eastern grey kangaroos. The results from the Victorian survey indicate a lack of any evidence of Johne's disease in rabbits and suggests that, under the conditions examined, rabbits are unlikely reservoir hosts for Johne's disease (although it is impossible to rule out the presence of a "hotspot" of JD in rabbits as exists in Scotland). Similarly, no eastern grey kangaroos were found infected with JD in this survey and while infection cannot be ruled out, it is unlikely to be at significant levels, and eastern greys are unlikely to act as significant reservoirs of Johne's disease infection.