Natural reservoir

A reservoir of pathogens is an ecological niche in which to collect, propagate and the re-infection can go to pathogens. For natural reservoir of pathogens include, depending on the pathogens of humans, animals ( reservoir host; analogously for plants) or biotopes.

Reservoir of pathogens human

A reservoir of pathogens are ill, asymptomatic infected and in healing conceived people. There are also asymptomatic colonization, such as the nasopharynx, with virulent pathogens, diseased without the parties concerned. Chronic carriers, such as Salmonella, thereby represent a longer outlasting reservoir for the pathogen and the infection can source for larger outbreaks (eg in canteen kitchens).

Animal reservoir of infection

Animals can be a natural reservoir of infection for so-called anthropozoonoses.

Pathogen reservoir habitat

There are also agents which are neither dependent on man or animals as a reservoir, such as the causative agent of Legionnaires' disease, the preferred reservoir represent sanitary facilities and air conditioning.