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	SOURCE1
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)