Bovine brucellosis, which is caused by Brucella abortus, is a global zoonotic disease that primarily affects livestock (Rhyan, et al. 2013). The highly contagious bacterial disease can be found in both humans and animals. In humans, brucellosis can cause night sweats, recurrent fever, back and joint pain, arthritis, and other influenza like symptoms (Rhyan, et al. 2013). In livestock, it is known to cause abortions, arthritis, male reproductive tract lesions, retained placentas, and bursitis (Rhyan, et al. 2013). Many bison carry antibodies to the virus. The active virus is present in only the reproductive tract of pregnant females (Lavigne, 2002). The most common route of transmission is oral. Bison and elk, like most ungulates, lick
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The conservation success of bison from near extinction has now led to conflict among managing entities regarding the issue of overabundance, combined with potential transmission of brucellosis to domestic livestock in the area (Fuller, et al., 2007). Disease transmission between wildlife and livestock is one of the primary drivers that threatens the long-term sustainability of wildlife populations that are isolated in protected areas (White, et al., 2010; Newmark, 2008). Combined with the increase of agricultural actives in the GYE, the sharing of disease among bison, elk and livestock has become harder to combat. Researchers have been diligently working to find a balance and solution to these problems, but current management practices are not reflecting updated research. Researchers show that bison are not as big of a threat to livestock as they once were perceived to be. That transmission of the disease from elk to livestock is more common. It seems as though there is something besides the potential of brucellosis transmission from bison to livestock that is driving managers in their decision making. There is room for bison populations to grow and roam free from the YNP, yet controversial policy of lethal control to manage migrating bison still occurs. By utilizing a systematic review to analyze the gathered scholarly literature will help develop the evidence to support the theory that there is a significant need for better brucellosis management practices throughout the GYE. In addition, the qualitative data analysis software, QDA Miner Lite, was utilized to assist in analyzing and managing data from scholarly articles and
The conservation success of bison from near extinction has now led to conflict among managing entities regarding the issue of overabundance, combined with potential transmission of brucellosis to domestic livestock in the area (Fuller, et al., 2007). Disease transmission between wildlife and livestock is one of the primary drivers that threatens the long-term sustainability of wildlife populations that are isolated in protected areas (White, et al., 2010; Newmark, 2008). Combined with the increase of agricultural actives in the GYE, the sharing of disease among bison, elk and livestock has become harder to combat. Researchers have been diligently working to find a balance and solution to these problems, but current management practices are not reflecting updated research. Researchers show that bison are not as big of a threat to livestock as they once were perceived to be. That transmission of the disease from elk to livestock is more common. It seems as though there is something besides the potential of brucellosis transmission from bison to livestock that is driving managers in their decision making. There is room for bison populations to grow and roam free from the YNP, yet controversial policy of lethal control to manage migrating bison still occurs. By utilizing a systematic review to analyze the gathered scholarly literature will help develop the evidence to support the theory that there is a significant need for better brucellosis management practices throughout the GYE. In addition, the qualitative data analysis software, QDA Miner Lite, was utilized to assist in analyzing and managing data from scholarly articles and