AI Article Synopsis
- Ecological community structure plays a crucial role in understanding vector-borne zoonotic diseases that have complex life cycles.
- A new approach combining qualitative community models with traditional biomathematical models allows for analyzing disease risk in relation to various disturbances.
- The application of this procedure to oak forest communities predicts Lyme disease risk, supporting existing findings on the link between deer abundance and disease risk.
Article Abstract
Ecological community structure is particularly important in vector-borne zoonotic diseases with complex life cycles. Qualitative community model analysis may provide a meaningful alternative to standard population-based models of vector-borne disease. We built on recent mathematical developments in qualitative community modeling coupled with conventional biomathematical models of vector-borne disease transmission, to provide a procedure to analyze risk. Using this procedure, we can hypothesize changes in risk of vector-borne disease from disturbances, such as control measures, habitat alteration, or global warming. We demonstrate the application of this procedure to an oak forest community to predict the risk of Lyme disease. Our predictions of Lyme disease risk in an oak forest community confirm reports of positive associations between deer abundance and risk of disease and are consistent with published observations.
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| http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.trstmh.2003.12.014 | DOI Listing |
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