Spatial and temporal trends
[section title=”Spatial _and temporal trends_”]
Defining the genetic fingerprint of a parasite enables definitive relationships between different infections to be determined. For example, individuals infected with the same parasite were likely infected from the same source (red figures). By mapping the occurrence of parasite signatures through time and space, their geographical range and persistence can be monitored. Similarly, where the individual was infected outside the local areas (blue figure) i.e. when traveling, the genetic fingerprint can confirm that the source was external. This is particularly important in an elimination setting where it is only cases of local transmission that need to be blocked.
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