Population fluctuations and synanthropy explain transmission risk in rodent-borne zoonoses

Frauke Ecke; Barbara A. Han; Birger Hörnfeldt; Hussein Khalil; Magnus Magnusson; Navinder J. Singh; Richard S. Ostfeld

doi:10.1038/s41467-022-35273-7

Nature Communications (Dec 2022)

Population fluctuations and synanthropy explain transmission risk in rodent-borne zoonoses

Frauke Ecke,
Barbara A. Han,
Birger Hörnfeldt,
Hussein Khalil,
Magnus Magnusson,
Navinder J. Singh,
Richard S. Ostfeld

Affiliations

Frauke Ecke: Department of Wildlife, Fish, and Environmental Studies, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
Barbara A. Han: Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, Millbrook
Birger Hörnfeldt: Department of Wildlife, Fish, and Environmental Studies, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
Hussein Khalil: Department of Wildlife, Fish, and Environmental Studies, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
Magnus Magnusson: Department of Wildlife, Fish, and Environmental Studies, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
Navinder J. Singh: Department of Wildlife, Fish, and Environmental Studies, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
Richard S. Ostfeld: Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, Millbrook

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-022-35273-7
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 13, no. 1
pp. 1 – 10

Abstract

Read online

Many rodent species are known as hosts of zoonotic pathogens, but the ecological conditions that trigger spillover are not well-understood. Here, the authors show that population fluctuations and association with human-dominated habitats explain the zoonotic reservoir status of rodents globally.

Published in Nature Communications

ISSN: 2041-1723 (Online)
Publisher: Nature Portfolio
Country of publisher: United Kingdom
LCC subjects: Science
Website: https://www.nature.com/ncomms/

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