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.