The maintenance of infectious diseases requires a sufficient number of susceptible hosts. Host culling is a potential control strategy for animal diseases. However, the reduction in biodiversity and increasing public concerns regarding the involved ethical issues have progressively challenged the use of wildlife culling. Here, we assess the potential of wildlife culling as an epidemiologically sound management tool, by examining the host ecology, pathogen characteristics, eco-sociological contexts, and field work constraints. We also discuss alternative solutions and make recommendations for the appropriate implementation of culling for disease control.

中文翻译：

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评估野生动物扑杀对传染病控制的潜力和风险的系统方法。

传染病的维持需要足够数量的易感宿主。宿主扑杀是动物疾病的潜在控制策略。然而，生物多样性的减少以及公众对所涉及的伦理问题日益关注，对野生动物扑杀的使用逐渐提出了挑战。在这里，我们通过检查宿主生态、病原体特征、生态社会背景和实地工作限制，评估野生动物扑杀作为流行病学合理管理工具的潜力。我们还讨论了替代解决方案，并为适当实施扑杀以控制疾病提出建议。