Epidemiological trends and control strategies for bovine tuberculosis in South Korea, 2018∼2024

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

Bovine tuberculosis (bTB), attributable to Mycobacterium bovis , continues to pose a significant challenge in South Korea, despite the extensive surveillance and control measures in place. This research was designed to elucidate the principal epidemiological features associated with the occurrence of bTB in the region from 2018 to 2024. Utilizing comprehensive data from national surveillance efforts, we assessed the incidence, duration of infection, attack rates, and geographical patterns of the disease outbreaks. A multivariate Poisson regression model was employed to discern the factors influencing the aggregate number of cases on each farm. The findings reveal that variables such as herd size, frequency of occurrence, initial number of bTB-positive cattle, and duration of infection considerably affect the risk of disease. Moreover, notable differences were observed among species, with sika deer, elk, beef cattle, and dairy cattle showing elevated risks of contracting bTB compared to Hanwoo cattle. These insights are crucial for stakeholders and relevant authorities as they work towards enhancing risk-based surveillance and implementing precise disease control measures to curtail the transmission of bTB in South Korea.