Question

Explain why pathogens might evolve towards an intermediate level of virulence. Describe at least one real-world example supporting this prediction.

Answer 1

The virulance has evolved to be intermediate in many pathogens. It is achieved by having majority of pathogens with intermediate virulance. This is because the more virulance can kill the host thus decreasing numbver of host attack., Less virulance will result in no ability for transmission via host. Thus, there must be a trade-off between the virulance and transmission. So intermediate virulenece will ensure both.

There are many real life examples like HIV in humans , which many times show asymptomatic infection and decreases the killing rate. Thus, can effect many hosts.