Spatio-temporal modeling of TB in cattle herds

We examine spatial association of bovine TB in cattle herds using data from Ireland. Badgers (Meles meles), a protected species under the Wildlife Act 1976 (OAG 2012), have been implicated in the spread of the disease in cattle. Current disease control policies include reactive culling (in response to TB outbreaks) of badgers in the index and neighbouring farms. Kelly and More (2011) using generalized linear geostatistical models, established that TB clusters in cattle herds and estimated the practical spatial ranges at which this occurs. Here this work is extended by taking into account possible anisotropy. Changes in spatial association over two time periods are also examined. The results have direct implications for establishing scale and direction in reactive culling. They are also of import regarding the evaluation of vaccines for badgers and cattle.