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The arrival, establishment and spread of exotic diseases: patterns and predictions

Sarah E Randolph1, David J Rogers

  • 1Oxford Tick Research Group, Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3PS, UK. sarah.randolph@zoo.ox.ac.uk

Nature Reviews. Microbiology
|April 8, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Human activities facilitate the spread of exotic pathogens, particularly vector-borne diseases. Environmental and socioeconomic factors influence disease transmission and incidence, independent of biological cycles.

Area of Science:

  • Epidemiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Ecology

Background:

  • Human activities significantly influence the introduction and spread of exotic pathogens.
  • Vector-borne diseases like malaria and dengue serve as key examples of pathogen transmission.
  • Existing competent vectors and favorable environmental conditions facilitate the establishment of exotic pathogens.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To illustrate the impact of human activities on the spread of exotic pathogens.
  • To examine the role of vectors and environmental conditions in disease transmission.
  • To understand the influence of socioeconomic factors on disease incidence.

Main Methods:

  • Review of vector-borne diseases (e.g., malaria, dengue, chikungunya).
  • Analysis of pathogen introduction via travel and trade.
  • Assessment of environmental (abiotic and biotic) and socioeconomic factors influencing disease.

Main Results:

  • Exotic pathogens are introduced through travel and trade, utilizing existing vectors.
  • Specific environmental conditions create permissive transmission cycles globally.
  • Human exposure and resistance, influenced by socioeconomic and nutritional status, affect disease incidence.

Conclusions:

  • Human activities are central to the spread of exotic vector-borne diseases.
  • A combination of biological, environmental, and socioeconomic factors dictates disease patterns.
  • Disease incidence is modulated by human factors beyond pathogen-vector-environment interactions.

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