Quantifying the endemic nature of bovine Tuberculosis in the UK

The PhD project aims to provide novel quantitative solutions to the fundamental issue of
bovine Tuberculosis in the UK. Badgers (Meles meles), which are important secondary
transmitters of the disease, are well known to be territorial. Hence the project will investigate
the relationship between individual animal territorial strategy and the emergent population
behaviours that occur as a result. By incorporating mathematical models of disease
transmission into the dynamics of this complex system, it will be possible to develop
predictive models for this important socio-economic problem.

Successful predictive modelling can also be crucial for informing policy in dealing with this
ethically and practically difficult issue. Recent attempts to prevent transmission from
badgers have come in the form of major culls. Quantifying the effect of these culls will
provide novel insights for evidence based prevention. The effectiveness of badger
vaccination strategy or a combination of culling and selective vaccination strategies can also
be predicted with these models. Furthermore, by coupling the badger infection dynamics
with that of the cows, I will be able to present, for the first time, a fully quantitative
understanding of the endemic nature of bovine Tuberculosis in the UK.