Volume 22, Number 12—December 2016
Synopsis
Assessing the Epidemic Potential of RNA and DNA Viruses
Mark E.J. Woolhouse
, Liam Brierley, Chris McCaffery, and Sam Lycett
, Liam Brierley, Chris McCaffery, and Sam Lycett
Table 1
Virus traits potentially relevant for capacity to emerge and cause disease in human populations*
| Trait | Definition |
|---|---|
| Reservoir host relatedness | Viruses derived from specific host taxa (e.g., other primate species might be of increased concern) |
| Virus relatedness | Particular virus taxa might be predisposed to infect, cause disease, and transmit among humans |
| Virus host range | Viruses with a broad or narrow host range might be of greatest concern |
| Evolvability | Higher substitution rates might make it easier for some viruses to adapt to human hosts |
| Host restriction factors | Host factors, many still to be identified, are a barrier to viral infection and help determine which viruses can and cannot emerge |
| Transmission route | Certain transmission routes might predispose viruses to emerge in humans |
| Virulence | Certain virus or host factors might determine whether a virus causes mild or severe disease in humans |
| Host−virus coevolution | Lack of a shared evolutionary history might be associated with higher virulence |
*Adapted from Morse et al. (3).
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Page updated: November 17, 2016
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