A model appropriate to the transmission of a human food-borne pathogen in a multigroup managed herd

We describe a model of microparasite transmission within a multigroup managed farming system. The model was formulated to represent transmission of Escherichia coli O157 within a typical UK dairy herd and was used to suggest possible on-farm control strategies. The model includes birth, death, maturation, the dry/lactating cycle and various types of transmission (i.e. direct, pseudovertical (representing direct faecal–oral transmission between dam and calf within the first 48 h) and indirect (via free-living infectious units in the environment)). A combination of numerical and analytical techniques was used to analyse the model. We found that pseudovertical transmission and indirect transmission via infectious units in the `generalʹ environment can lead to more groups being affected, but otherwise have relatively little effect on the invasion criteria. To reduce infection within the herd, we suggest that efforts be directed at reducing the opportunity for group-specific indirect transmission––particularly within the weaned group.