Human movement in terms of spatial and temporal scales is an important factor that affects many vector-borne disease by influencing exposure to vectors and transmission of pathogens. However, very little is known about individual human movement patterns and its effects on the dynamics of vector-borne pathogens. Studying and understanding the human movement and its influences on disease dynamics will enable scientists to come up with a better intervention and disease prevention. The study examines the role and the importance of human movement for pathogen transmission by mostly focusing on mosquito-borne virus. According to the paper, exposure that is due to human movement strongly influences the transmission dynamics of pathogens. For instance, the national or international individual movement drives pathogen introduction and reintroduction.

In order to study the dengue, the ‘activity space’ model was used to determine the few locations individuals visit and spend most of their time. By incorporating the knowledge of vector behavior and the outcome of the activity space model, scientists were able to identify places and individuals that contribute disproportionately to pathogen transmission dynamics. An interesting outcome that the activity space model presented was that the movements of pathogen transmission typically occur mostly at night when hosts are inactive. The paper emphasizes that a better understanding of the role of human movement on pathogen transmission is critical in predicting possible disease outbreak and coming up with better disease preventions schemes.

Citation: Stoddard ST, Morrison AC, Vazquez-Prokopec GM, PAZ Soldan V, KOchel TJ, et al. (2009) The Role of Human Movement in the Transmission of Vector-borne pathogens. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 3(7): e481. doi:10.1371/journal.pntd.0000481