The Society for Mathematical Biology Annual Meeting and Conference, July 25-28, 2012
SMB 2012 Minisymposia
MS20: Epidemiology of multi-host pathogens: Math and biology perspectives (1) - July 27, 9:40-11:20 a.m. SESSION G
Organizers: Carrie Manore (Mathematics and Computational Science, Tulane Univ., New Orleans, LA, USA); Folashade Agusto (Mathematics and Statistics, Austin Peay State Univ., Clarksville, TN, USA); Miranda Teboh-Ewungkem (Mathematics, Lafayette College, Easton, PA, USA)
Presenters: Zoi Rapti, Vrushali Bokil, Maia Martcheva, Robyn Nadolny
Moderator: Carrie Manore
Summary. Multi-host pathogens, including zoonotic and parasitic diseases, are important to public health, conservation, and the economy. Such diseases include avian influenza, chitrid fungus, West Nile virus, and foot-and-mouth disease, for example. Although multihost models are often neglected due to complexity and lack of data, research on this challenging topic has gained momentum in both mathematics and epidemiology. We present mathematical models for multi-host pathogens and case studies for a wide range of pathogens and host species. We highlight the importance of collaboration between ecologists, epidemiologist, veterinarians, and modelers as we attempt to understand and control the spread of multi-host pathogens.
