Demonstrating frequency-dependent transmission of sarcoptic mange in red foxes

Devenish-Nelson, E.S.; Richards, S.A.; Harris, S.; Soulsbury, C.D.; Stephens, P.A.

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.

Citation

Devenish-Nelson, E. S., Richards, S. A., Harris, S., Soulsbury, C. D., & Stephens, P. A. (2014). Demonstrating frequency-dependent transmission of sarcoptic mange in red foxes. Biology Letters, 10(10), 20140524. https://doi.org/10.1098/rsbl.2014.0524

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: Oct 8, 2014
• Deposit Date: Oct 9, 2014
• Publicly Available Date: Oct 9, 2014
• Journal: Biology Letters
• Print ISSN: 1744-9561
• Electronic ISSN: 1744-957X
• Publisher: The Royal Society
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 10
• Issue: 10
• Article Number: 20140524
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1098/rsbl.2014.0524
• Keywords: Age-specific infection, Basic reproductive number, frequency-dependent transmission, Indirect transmission, Susceptible–exposed–infected (SEI) model.
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1444051
• Related Public URLs: http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rsbl.2014.0524