Document Detail


Distinguishing epidemic waves from disease spillover in a wildlife population.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  19324800     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
Serengeti lions frequently experience viral outbreaks. In 1994, one-third of Serengeti lions died from canine distemper virus (CDV). Based on the limited epidemiological data available from this period, it has been unclear whether the 1994 outbreak was propagated by lion-to-lion transmission alone or involved multiple introductions from other sympatric carnivore species. More broadly, we do not know whether contacts between lions allow any pathogen with a relatively short infectious period to percolate through the population (i.e. reach epidemic proportions). We built one of the most realistic contact network models for a wildlife population to date, based on detailed behavioural and movement data from a long-term lion study population. The model allowed us to identify previously unrecognized biases in the sparse data from the 1994 outbreak and develop methods for judiciously inferring disease dynamics from typical wildlife samples. Our analysis of the model in light of the 1994 outbreak data strongly suggest that, although lions are sufficiently well connected to sustain epidemics of CDV-like diseases, the 1994 epidemic was fuelled by multiple spillovers from other carnivore species, such as jackals and hyenas.
Authors:
Meggan E Craft; Erik Volz; Craig Packer; Lauren Ancel Meyers
Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't; Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.     Date:  2009-02-25
Journal Detail:
Title:  Proceedings. Biological sciences / The Royal Society     Volume:  276     ISSN:  0962-8452     ISO Abbreviation:  Proc. Biol. Sci.     Publication Date:  2009 May 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2009-04-08     Completed Date:  2009-07-02     Revised Date:  2010-09-22    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  101245157     Medline TA:  Proc Biol Sci     Country:  England    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  1777-85     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Department of Ecology, Evolution and Behavior, University of Minnesota, St Paul, MN 55108, USA. craft004@umn.edu
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Animals
Computer Simulation
Disease Outbreaks / veterinary*
Distemper / epidemiology*,  transmission
Distemper Virus, Canine
Ecosystem
Lions / virology*
Models, Theoretical*
Population Density
Population Dynamics
Prevalence
Tanzania
Comments/Corrections

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