Why are there so few pathogens? Ecology and evolution in pathogen emergence

John M Drake1,2

  • 1Odum School of Ecology and Center for the Ecology of Infectious Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America.

Plos Biology
|August 21, 2025
PubMed
Summary

Few pathogens emerge due to ecological and evolutionary factors. Host availability, geographic exposure, and microbial innovation will shape the future of human diseases.

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