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Volume 22, Number 12—December 2016
Synopsis

Assessing the Epidemic Potential of RNA and DNA Viruses

Mark E.J. WoolhouseComments to Author , Liam Brierley, Chris McCaffery, and Sam Lycett
Author affiliations: University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK

Main Article

Figure 1

Pathogen pyramid for RNA and DNA viruses. Level 1 indicates viruses to which humans are exposed but which do not infect humans. Level 2 indicates viruses that can infect humans but are not transmitted from humans. Level 3 indicates viruses that can infect and be transmitted from humans but are restricted to self-limiting outbreaks. Level 4 indicates viruses that are capable of epidemic spread in human populations. Transitions between levels (indicated by arrows) correspond to different stages of

Figure 1. Pathogen pyramid for RNA and DNA viruses. Level 1 indicates viruses to which humans are exposed but which do not infect humans. Level 2 indicates viruses that can infect humans but are not transmitted from humans. Level 3 indicates viruses that can infect and be transmitted from humans but are restricted to self-limiting outbreaks. Level 4 indicates viruses that are capable of epidemic spread in human populations. Transitions between levels (indicated by arrows) correspond to different stages of virus emergence in human populations. Reprinted from Woolhouse et al. (10).

Main Article

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Page created: November 17, 2016
Page updated: November 17, 2016
Page reviewed: November 17, 2016
The conclusions, findings, and opinions expressed by authors contributing to this journal do not necessarily reflect the official position of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Public Health Service, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or the authors' affiliated institutions. Use of trade names is for identification only and does not imply endorsement by any of the groups named above.
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