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Population dynamics of fox rabies in Europe

Nature volume 289, pages 765–771 (1981)Cite this article

Abstract

A simple mathematical model for the overall dynamics of the interaction between fox populations and rabies is presented. The model helps to explain epidemiological patterns observed in Europe, including the 3 to 5 year cycle in fox populations infected with rabies, threshold densities and average levels of prevalence of infection. We give a quantitative discussion of the possibilities of controlling rabies by culling or vaccinating foxes (or by a mixture of the two).

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Zoology Department and Centre for Environmental Technology, Imperial College, London University, London, SW7 2AZ, UK

    Roy M. Anderson & Anthony M. Smith

  2. WHO Collaborating Centre for Rabies Surveillance and Research, Federal Research Institute for Animal Virus Diseases, D7400, Tübingen, Postfach 1149, FRG

    Helen C. Jackson

  3. Biology Department, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey, 08450, USA

    Robert M. May

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  1. Roy M. Anderson
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  4. Anthony M. Smith
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Anderson, R., Jackson, H., May, R. et al. Population dynamics of fox rabies in Europe. Nature 289, 765–771 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1038/289765a0

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