Abstract
The wildlife−domestic interface is a key concept helping us to understand how diseases affect both wild and domestic animal populations, yet how to define and measure it remains a challenge. One tool which can contribute to our understanding of the wildlife−domestic interface is disease spread modelling. This can provide insight into how diseases spread within and between populations, and guide decision-making for disease control, response and surveillance programs. Specifically, quantitative estimation of contact rates permits such disease spread models to be developed and used confidently. Here we present a case study of the potential spread of rabies (an exotic disease in Australia) within the wild dog−domestic dog ecosystem of northern Australia to illustrate the concept of the wildlife−domestic interface and disease transmission. Over a period of 10 years, free-roaming domestic dogs and wild dogs in the Northern Peninsula Area (NPA) of Cape York, Queensland were studied. Key findings included identification of a small but important group of domestic dogs which regularly roam in bushland areas; peri-urban wild dog activity, particularly in the dry season, likely driven by the availability of food sources; and the potential for interaction between hunting dogs and wild dogs in remote areas, particularly during the wet season. These observations can be used to inform disease spread models and identify strategies to mitigate the risks of disease transmission. However, the collection and incorporation of data into such models needs more consideration regarding what information is usable (such as contact rates) and the best ways to collect it. The scarcity of such models incorporating the wildlife−domestic interface suggests that integrated epidemiological−ecological studies are needed to fill this gap.
Key words: Wild−domestic interface; Dingo; Dog; Infectious disease model
The wildlife−domestic interface is a key concept for understanding how diseases affect both wild and domestic animal populations, and how diseases within one population can affect another population. Despite its importance in animal health, the wildlife−domestic interface remains a challenge to define and to measure. Disease spread models of wildlife−domestic animal ecosystems attempt to characterise this interface and provide insight into how diseases spread within and between populations, and guide decision-making for disease control, response, and surveillance programs. Here we discuss the concept of the wildlife−domestic interface and disease transmission, present the basics of disease spread models, and provide a case study of the potential spread of rabies (an exotic disease) within the wild dog−domestic dog ecosystem of northern Australia. We conclude with recommendations to improve research of the wildlife−domestic interface to facilitate our understanding of disease spread and its implications.