title: Demonstrating frequency-dependent transmission of sarcoptic mange in red foxes.
abstract: Understanding the relationship between disease transmission and host density is essential for predicting disease spread and control. Using long-term data on sarcoptic mange in a red fox Vulpes vulpes population, we tested long-held assumptions of density- and frequency-dependent direct disease transmission. We also assessed the role of indirect transmission. Contrary to assumptions typical of epidemiological models, mange dynamics are better explained by frequency-dependent disease transmission than by density-dependent transmission in this canid. We found no support for indirect transmission. We present the first estimates of R0 and age-specific transmission coefficients for mange in foxes. These parameters are important for managing this poorly understood but highly contagious and economically damaging disease.
authors.affiliation: School of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Durham University, Durham, DH1 3LE, UK e.s.nelson@dunelm.org.uk.
authors.forename: Eleanor S
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Devenish-Nelson
authors.affiliation: School of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Durham University, Durham, DH1 3LE, UK.
authors.forename: Shane A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Richards
authors.affiliation: School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1TQ, UK.
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Harris
authors.affiliation: School of Life Sciences, University of Lincoln, Lincoln, LN6 7TS, UK.
authors.forename: Carl
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Soulsbury
authors.affiliation: School of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Durham University, Durham, DH1 3LE, UK.
authors.forename: Philip A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Stephens
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D004739:England / Q000453:epidemiology; D005589:Foxes / Q000469:parasitology*; D011156:Population Density; D012307:Risk Factors; D012520:Sarcoptes scabiei; D012532:Scabies / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission* / Q000662:veterinary*
keywords: age-specific infection; basic reproductive number; frequency-dependent transmission; indirect transmission; susceptible–exposed–infected (SEI) model