A study of the epidemiological behavior of bovine paratuberculosis using time series in Tandil in the province of Buenos Aires, Argentina.

摘要

The authors present the results of a study conducted using time series data from the 1993-2001 period in order to characterise the clinical behaviour of bovine paratuberculosis. The case data, confirmed by macroscopic examination, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and comparative tuberculin test, came from the herd health register, located in Tandil in the province of Buenos Aires, Argentina. The upper limit of customary variation was observed in April, with an incidence of 2.5 per mil. In 1997, 1999, 2000 and 2001 the disease was epidemic and a peak of 5.6 per mil occurred in March 1999. Over the long term a rise in the total annual incidence was observed, from 0.7 per mil in 1993 to 10.2 per mil in 2001. Knowledge about the epidemiology of paratuberculosis will help to control the disease and minimize its impact on the national economy, and will also provide new information for use in public health.