Transmission from the infectious material perspective using spatiotemporal modelling and experimental data

Samenvatting (Engelstalig)

As most pathogens are transmitted through environment, a better understanding of the processes of underlying environmental transmission is crucial to develop relevant intervention strategies targeted to these processes. To better understand the processes of environmental transmission and subsequently design and quantify relevant intervention strategies, it is necessary to formulate and implement the models and simultaneously gather data from tailor made experiments or sampling protocols. In the thesis, I followed the development cycle of a modelling work and experimental work designed to study mechanisms of environmental transmission from the infectious material perspective. During the process, on the one hand, new methodology with broad applicability was developed, and on the other hand, new insights into our model system- Campylobacter transmission in broilers- were gained. Including calibration and validation of our spatial mechanistic transmission model and a novel insight into environmental survival of the infectious forms of Campylobacter.