Work

Mailborne transmission of anthrax: Modeling and implications

Year: 2002

Type: article

Abstract: A mathematical model is developed to analyze the transmission of inhalational anthrax through the postal system by cross-contamination of mail. The model consists of state vectors describing the numbers of cross-contaminated letters generated, the numbers of anthrax spores on these letters, the numbers of resulting infections in recipients, and matrices of transition probabilities acting on these vectors. The model simulates the recent outbreak in the United States, and provides a general framework to investigate the potential impact of possible future outbreaks.

Source: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

DOI: 10.1073/pnas.102691499

Authors: Glenn F. Webb, Martin J. Blaser

Institutions: Vanderbilt University, New York University

Language: English

Topic: Bacillus and Francisella bacterial research

Subfield: Molecular Biology

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funder: National Institute of General Medical Sciences