Genomic analysis of an outbreak of bovine tuberculosis in a man-made
multi-host species system: a call for action on wildlife in Brazil
Abstract
We report on a 15-year-long outbreak of bovine tuberculosis (bTB) in
wildlife from a Brazilian safari park. A timeline of diagnostic events
and whole-genome sequencing (WGS) of 21 Mycobacterium bovis
isolates from deer and llamas were analyzed. Accordingly, from 2003 to
2018, at least 16 animals, from 8 species, died due to TB, which is
likely an underestimated number. In three occasions since 2013, the deer
presented positive tuberculin tests, leading to the park closure and
culling of all deer. WGS indicated that multiple M. bovis strains
were circulating, with at least three founding introductions since the
park inauguration in 1977. Recent transmission events between nearby
farms and the park were not found based on WGS. Lastly, by discussing
socio-economic and environmental factors escaping current regulatory
gaps that were determinant of this outbreak, we pledge for the
development of a plan to report and control bTB in wildlife in Brazil.