Introduction: Disease Reservoirs: From Colonial Medicine to One Health.

Area of Science:

• Anthropology
• History
• Global Health
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Disease reservoir frameworks emerged in early 20th-century colonial settings.
• The concept was integral to imperial projects for controlling human, animal, and pathogen contagion.
• It evolved within post-colonial global health and the emerging infectious disease paradigm.

Purpose of the Study:

• To trace the historical origins and evolution of disease reservoir frameworks.
• To analyze the concept's application in colonial and post-colonial contexts.
• To explore contemporary uses and future directions in disease surveillance and management.

Main Methods:

• Historical analysis of colonial and post-colonial records.
• Anthropological examination of disease control practices.
• Conceptual analysis of the disease reservoir framework.

Main Results:

• Disease reservoir concepts were initially used for imperial control and mapping of contagion.
• Contemporary frameworks extend to anticipating unknown diseases via surveillance networks.
• The concept remains linked to managing populations, pathogens, animals, and space.

Conclusions:

• The disease reservoir concept is a persistent, evolving tool in understanding and managing infectious diseases.
• Historical and anthropological perspectives are crucial for re-evaluating its contemporary implications.
• Future research should foster cross-disciplinary exploration of disease ecology and transmission.