Use of dynamic network in the wildlife-livestock interface to study endemic and emerging diseases

Abstract

Resumen del póster presentado a la Joint Virtual Conference of the WDA and EWDA, celebrada del 31 de agosto al 2 de septiembre de 2021.Dynamic networks are an analytical tool highly valued in epidemiology due to their potential to identify individuals or communities with a key role in the transmission of pathogens. By including the temporal dimension in the analysis is possible to consider the potential process of pathogen transmission along the time. This approach becomes more necessary in those interfaces where emerging diseases mean a challenge. The objective of this work was to characterise the network of interactions in a multi-host extensive system where wild boar (Sus scrofa) and red deer (Cervus elaphus) cohabit with livestock, and to simulate the potential transmission of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTB) and African swine fever virus (ASFV) within a dynamic network. To this end 6 red deer, 6 wild boar, 3 cattle and 10 domestic pigs were collared during autumn 2017–winter 2018 using GPS and proximity devices; besides, indirect interactions between animals through water points (as a potential source of pathogens) were considered. Close interspecific interactions were found to be scarce, but water points acted as an attractant for both wildlife and livestock, resulting in a high number of interspecific indirect interactions. The simulation showed that transmission of MTB may occur preferably from red deer to cattle in our studied system; in the case of ASFV, our simulation suggests that transmission from wild boar to pigs occurs more probably through water points. The results of this preliminary work highlight the relevant role that certain wild species could play in the transmission of pathogens in multihost systems. More in deep studies are necessary to understand the real role of water points for the transmission of the two diseases considered, both for pathogen maintenance or carcasses presence. Also, more empirical data (e.g. more collared individuals) is needed to estimate more reliable rates of interactions, specifically for direct interactions.Peer reviewe