Proceedings of the First Symposium on Marsupials in New Zealand

Prevalence

Prevalence

The prevalence of tuberculosis in infected possum populations as determined by post-mortem examination of poisoned animals has varied with 20% being the highest recorded (Davidson 1976) - see Table 4.

Affected possums have most frequently been found in scrub or bush within two kilometres of cattle pastures (Davidson 1976).

Table 4. Prevalence of tuberculosis in populations as determined by post-mortem examination of poisoned, trapped or shot possums.
AREA YEAR NO. AFFECTED/NO. EXAMINED PREVALENCE SOURCE 1
Mokihinui river 1970 not recorded 12% (1)
Buller County 1970-71 202/4193 4.8% (2)
Inangahua County 1970-71 89/1715 5.2% (2)
Hohonu mountain 1973 115/1486 7.7% (3)
Waikato 1973 2/1629 0.1% (4)
Taumarunui & Otorohanga Counties 1974 26/1602 1.6% (4)