Evaluating Tuberculosis Prevention, Diagnosis and Control Strategies in Badgers and Elephants - Fellowship

Tuberculosis (TB) poses a significant health threat to wildlife species. The fellow will study wildlife species known to be affected by TB, including elephants and badgers. She will evaluate geographical and temporal factors affecting the transmission of TB in free-ranging badger populations in Ireland and will also assess the effectiveness of a vaccine currently used as a TB control strategy for this species. In addition, the researcher will identify risk factors for TB in elephants housed in North American and African facilities and will evaluate screening and diagnostic tests and antimicrobial treatments for the disease. Information gathered from this project will be used to design and implement prevention and control strategies to reduce TB infections in wildlife.