An epidemiological framework for chronic wasting disease in multihost communities

Many pathogens can infect several host species, which complicates the management of wildlife diseases. Even for generalist pathogens, hosts are not equally competent, and variable niche overlap between leads to different exposure levels within when compared with that hosts. Hence, processes determining spillover risk subsequent transmission dynamics species differ. Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a contagious prion cervids detected across expanded geographic ranges over last few decades. Multihost has become topical CWD detection among reindeer Rangifer tarandus in Europe, an immediate sympatric species. Here, I argue use community epidemiological framework distinguishes between- within-host arising from competence processes. In CWD, mainly determined by how variants protein gene (PRNP) affect susceptibility. The level only linked density infected susceptible both but also spatiotemporal social organization Mule deer Odocoileus hemionus white-tailed virginianus highly expected show true multihost dynamics; however, mule have higher prevalence areas, indicating partially dynamics. Moose Alces alces susceptible, cases CWD-infected moose appear be events epidemic die outs. Elk Cervus canadensis less PRNP low shedding lymphoid tissues, lower contagiousness. elk appears result within-species emergence, independent deer. Synthesis applications. Stronger awareness may facilitate effective surveillance management. Surveillance should consider potential lack designing sampling. target at scales limit risk: (1) distribution ranges, (2) reductions zones (3) co-use hot spots.