Work

Disease reservoirs: from conceptual frameworks to applicable criteria

Year: 2017

Type: article

Abstract: Central to the One Health approach and any disease eradication program is the question of whether a pathogen has a non-human reservoir. Despite well-established conceptual frameworks that define a reservoir of infection, empirical characterization of reservoirs often remains controversial, challenging and sometimes misleading. What is essentially missing are applicable requirements that standardize the use of the term 'reservoir of infection' across multiple disciplines. We propose an empirical framework, considering maintenance and feasible transmission of a pathogen, to standardize the acceptance of a disease reservoir across multiple disciplines. We demonstrate the intended use of these requirements by applying them to different diseases that are known to infect both humans and animals.

Source: Emerging Microbes & Infections

DOI: 10.1038/emi.2017.65

Authors: Luisa K Hallmaier-Wacker, Vincent J Munster, Sascha Knauf

Institutions: German Primate Center, National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

Language: English

Topic: Zoonotic diseases and public health

Subfield: Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,643