User:Allym7/sandbox

Article to edit: Brucellosis

Justification: Brucellosis is a prominent disease issue in the western United States. It has significant implications for the conservation of large wild ungulates as well as for the livestock industry. My interests in human-wildlife conflict, the West, and environmental policy strongly relate to the issues associated with this disease, making it an especially interesting assignment topic for me.

Planned contributions: Insertion into existing article:
 * 1) The article emphasizes the effects of Brucellosis on humans and livestock. Add a section specifically addressing the effect of Brucellosis on wildlife species in the United States beneath the "Other animals" section.
 * 2) Separate the section related to elk and bison beneath the "Prevention in the United States" category, and move it to the new wildlife section.
 * 3) Add a section on hunting and specific risks to hunters.
 * 4) Add missing citations for facts related to wildlife and Brucellosis.

Terrestrial Wildlife
The disease in its various strains can infect multiple wildlife species, including elk (Cervus canadensis), bison (Bison bison), African buffalo (Syncerus caffer), European wild boar (Sus scrofa), caribou (Rangifer tarandus), moose (Alces alces), and marine mammals (see section on aquatic wildlife above). While some regions utilize vaccines to prevent the spread of brucellosis between infected and uninfected wildlife populations, no suitable brucellosis vaccine for terrestrial wildlife has been developed. This gap in medicinal knowledge creates more pressure for management practices that will reduce spread of the disease.

"Wild bison and elk in the greater Yellowstone area are the last remaining reservoir of B. abortus in the US. The recent transmission of brucellosis from elk back to cattle in Idaho and Wyoming illustrates how the area, as the last remaining reservoir in the United States, may adversely affect the livestock industry. Eliminating brucellosis from this area is a challenge, as many viewpoints exist on how to manage diseased wildlife. However, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department has recently began to protect scavengers (particularly coyotes and red fox) on elk feedgrounds, because they act as sustainable, no-cost, biological control agents by removing infected elk fetuses quickly.[23] Purebred bison in the Henry Mountains of southern Utah are free of brucellosis.[24]" ''(This section moved from an existing section in the article. I don't want to take credit for writing it for the purposes of this assignment. I will not include this note in the actual article.)''

The National Elk Refuge in Jackson, Wyoming asserts that the intensity of the winter feeding program affects the spread of brucellosis more than the population size of elk and bison. Since concentrating animals around food plots accelerates spread of the disease, management strategies to reduce herd density and increase dispersion could limit its spread.

Effects on Hunters
Hunters may be at additional risk for exposure to brucellosis due to increased contact with susceptible wildlife. Exposure can occur through contact with open wounds or by directly inhaling the bacteria while cleaning game. In some cases, consumption of undercooked game can result in exposure to the disease. Hunters can limit exposure while cleaning game through the use of precautionary barriers, including gloves and masks, and by washing tools rigorously after use. By ensuring that game is cooked thoroughly, hunters can protect themselves and others from ingesting the disease. Hunters should refer to local game officials and health departments to determine the risk of brucellosis exposure in their immediate area and to learn more about actions to reduce or avoid exposure.