Shared risk factors for multiple livestock diseases: A case study of bovine tuberculosis and brucellosis

• Managing disease risk factors shared by multiple pathogens may increase efficiency.
• Information theoretic analysis revealed risk factors for tuberculosis and brucellosis.
• Contact between and within herds was a shared risk factor for bovine disease.
• An integrative approach to managing both diseases could focus on cattle contact.
• Repeating this study would identify locally relevant shared risk factors elsewhere.

Livestock diseases can result in reduced farm productivity. The bacterial diseases tuberculosis (TB) and brucellosis may share some transmission characteristics which, if managed in common, would result in more cost-effective management. Here, we identify risk factors shared between these diseases using a case-control approach and information theoretic modelling. One-hundred cattle farmers in Atlantic Spain were interviewed about farm characteristics and management practices. The risk factor shared between both diseases was intra- and inter-herd contact between cattle. Disease-specific risk factors were the presence of wildlife for TB, and cattle movement between farms for brucellosis. An integrated approach to disease management needs to consider cattle movement and farm biosecurity, reinforced by an education campaign to increase farmer awareness. This would be likely to bring benefits in reducing both diseases and improve the efficiency of any interventions.