Learned behavioral avoidance can alter outbreak dynamics in a model for waterborne infectious diseases.

ABSTRACT: Many animals show avoidance behavior in response to disease. For instance, in some species of frogs, individuals that survive infection of the fungal disease chytridiomycosis may learn to avoid areas where the pathogen is present. As chytridiomycosis has caused substantial declines in many amphibian populations worldwide, it is a highly relevant example for studying these behavioral dynamics. Here we develop compartmental ODE models to study the epidemiological consequences of avoidance behavior of animals in response to waterborne infectious diseases. Individuals with avoidance behavior are less likely to become infected, but avoidance may also entail increased risk of mortality. We compare the outbreak dynamics with avoidance behavior that is innate (present from birth) or learned (gaine

SUBMITTER: Poulton AJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12360992 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature