Devenish-Nelson, E.S. and Richards, S.A. and Harris, S. and Soulsbury, C.D. and Stephens, P.A. (2014) 'Demonstrating frequency-dependent transmission of sarcoptic mange in red foxes.', Biology letters., 10 (10). p. 20140524.
Abstract
Understanding the relationship between disease transmission and host density is essential for predicting disease spread and control. Using long-term data on sarcoptic mange in a red fox Vulpes vulpes population, we tested long-held assumptions of density- and frequency-dependent direct disease transmission. We also assessed the role of indirect transmission. Contrary to assumptions typical of epidemiological models, mange dynamics are better explained by frequency-dependent disease transmission than by density-dependent transmission in this canid. We found no support for indirect transmission. We present the first estimates of R0 and age-specific transmission coefficients for mange in foxes. These parameters are important for managing this poorly understood but highly contagious and economically damaging disease.
Item Type: | Article |
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Keywords: | Age-specific infection, Basic reproductive number, frequency-dependent transmission, Indirect transmission, Susceptible–exposed–infected (SEI) model. |
Full text: | (AM) Accepted Manuscript Download PDF (1468Kb) |
Status: | Peer-reviewed |
Publisher Web site: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rsbl.2014.0524 |
Date accepted: | No date available |
Date deposited: | 09 October 2014 |
Date of first online publication: | October 2014 |
Date first made open access: | No date available |
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