The principal reasons for managing parasites (viruses, bacteria, fungi, protozoa, helminths and arthropods) in CTs include reducing morbidity and mortality in indi­viduals subjected to the multiple stressors of CTs and to protect recipient populations (conspecifics and sympat­ric species) and ecosystems from the introduction of novel infectious agents.

Decision making around man­agement of parasites must consider the fact that many parasites have co-evolved with their hosts and the growing recognition of the important ecological role

played by both micro- and macroparasites in addition to consideration of potential disease risks (Rideout et al.

2017; Dunlop and Watson 2022). Several host­specific, density-dependent parasites with indirect life cycles in the brush-tailed bettong have been identified as vulnerable to extinction, in part, as a result of CT management decisions (Thompson et al. 2018). The decision to exclude an animal from a CT or initiate treatment because of evidence of exposure to or the presence of a particular pathogen should be determined based on the results of a CT specific DRA (see section 3 and Chapter 3).

5.1

More on the topic The principal reasons for managing parasites (viruses, bacteria, fungi, protozoa, helminths and arthropods) in CTs include reducing morbidity and mortality in indi­viduals subjected to the multiple stressors of CTs and to protect recipient populations (conspecifics and sympat­ric species) and ecosystems from the introduction of novel infectious agents.: