Wild deer as a source of infection for livestock and humans in the UK

Vet J. 2007 Sep;174(2):260-76. doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2006.11.003. Epub 2007 Jan 25.

Abstract

Wild deer can feature in the epidemiology of a wide range of livestock and human diseases in the United Kingdom by representing a source of disease via various transmission routes. This review highlights current and possible future infections of deer in the UK which may have an impact on livestock and/or human health. Increases in deer abundance as well as range expansion are likely to exacerbate the potential for disease persistence due to the formation of multi-species deer assemblages, which may act as disease reservoirs. Climatic changes are likely to have a direct impact on the presence and abundance of various pathogens and their vectors, so that with a warming climate exotic diseases may play a role in future UK livestock and wildlife disease management. This paper highlights the need for a monitoring strategy for wildlife diseases, in particular infections in wild deer, in the UK.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Domestic / microbiology
  • Animals, Domestic / parasitology
  • Animals, Wild / microbiology
  • Animals, Wild / parasitology
  • Cattle
  • Climate
  • Communicable Disease Control*
  • Communicable Diseases / epidemiology
  • Communicable Diseases / transmission*
  • Communicable Diseases / veterinary*
  • Communicable Diseases, Emerging / epidemiology
  • Communicable Diseases, Emerging / transmission
  • Communicable Diseases, Emerging / veterinary
  • Deer*
  • Disease Reservoirs / veterinary*
  • Humans
  • United Kingdom
  • Zoonoses*