title: A mixed ectoparasite--microparasite model for bat-transmitted rabies.
abstract: This paper considers the transmission of rabies to domestic livestock by vampire bats. Vampire bats act as ectoparasites on cattle both by ingesting a small amount of blood every night and by prolonging bleeding by the action of anticoagulant substances in their saliva. In addition to this parasitic action bats may also transmit rabies, inflicting important losses on affected herds by the inevitable mortality due to the infection. We modeled this complex interaction and we also demonstrate that bat control measures are more effective in reducing rabies prevalence and mortality by rabies than cattle vaccination.
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, The University of Sao Paulo, Av. Dr. Arnaldo 455, SP 01246-903, Brazil.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Massad
authors.forename: F A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Coutinho
authors.forename: M N
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Burattini
authors.forename: P C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Sallum
authors.forename: L F
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Lopez
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000009:adverse effects; D001733:Bites and Stings / Q000821:virology*; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D002417:Cattle / Q000469:parasitology*; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission*; D002685:Chiroptera / Q000821:virology*; D003198:Computer Simulation; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D004199:Disease Vectors; D017753:Ecosystem; D004478:Ectoparasitic Infestations / Q000097:blood / Q000821:virology*; D006801:Humans; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D010571:Pest Control / Q000191:economics; D011818:Rabies / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission* / Q000662:veterinary; D012463:Saliva / Q000378:metabolism / Q000821:virology
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants