Biosecurity and cross-contamination in epidemiological studies involving trapping and sampling wildlife

Abstract

Biosecurity in trapping wildlife is an important consideration regarding animal and human welfare. It is also important regarding minimising the risk of cross-contamination of samples obtained from trapped wildlife, to ensure validity of epidemiological studies dependent on such samples. This paper describes practical approaches to biosecurity in trapping and sampling wildlife, and approaches to evaluating data to assess the potential impact of cross-contamination, using our study of the marsupials quenda (syn. southern brown bandicoots, Isoodon obesulus) and brushtail possums (Trichosurus vulpecula) as an example. Biosecurity considerations include management of traps, handling bags, animal handlers and sampling equipment. Various approaches to data analysis can be used to assess whether cross-contamination is likely to have substantially impacted study results.