Animal movement impacts the spread of human and wildlife diseases, and there is significant interest in understanding the role of migrations, biological invasions and other wildlife movements in spatial infection dynamics. However, the influence of processes acting on infections during transient phases of host movement is poorly understood. We propose a conceptual framework that explicitly considers infection dynamics during transient phases of host movement to better predict infection spread through spatial host networks. Accounting for host transient movement captures key processes that occur while hosts move between locations, which together determine the rate at which hosts spread infections through networks. We review theoretical and empirical studies of host movement and infection spread, highlighting the multiple factors that impact the infection status of hosts. We then outline characteristics of hosts, parasites and the environment that influence these dynamics. Recent technological advances provide disease ecologists unprecedented ability to track the fine-scale movement of organisms. These, in conjunction with experimental testing of the factors driving infection dynamics during host movement, can inform models of infection spread based on constituent biological processes.

191. Animals switch habitats on a regular basis, and when habitats vary in suitability 20 for parasitism, routine habitat switching alters the frequency of parasite exposure 21 and may affect post-infection parasite proliferation. However, the effects of 22 routine habitat switching on infection dynamics are not well understood. 23 2.We performed infection experiments, behavioural observations, and field 24 surveillance to evaluate how routine habitat switching by adult alpine newts 25 (Ichthyosaura alpestris) influences infection dynamics of the pathogenic parasite, 26Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd). 27 3. We show that when newts are exposed to equal total doses of Bd in aquatic 28 habitats, differences in exposure frequency and post-exposure habitat alter 29 infection trajectories: newts developed more infections that persisted longer when 30 doses were broken into multiple, reduced-intensity exposures. Intensity and 31 persistence of infections was reduced among newts that were switched to 32 terrestrial habitats following exposure. 33 4. When presented with a choice of habitats, newts did not avoid exposure to Bd, 34 but heavily infected newts were more prone to reduce time spent in water. 35 5. Accounting for routine switching between aquatic and terrestrial habitat in the 36 experiments generated distributions of infection loads that were consistent with 37 those in two populations of wild newts. 38 6. Together, these findings emphasize that differential habitat use and behaviours 39 associated with daily movement can be important ecological determinants of 40 infection risk and severity. 41 42 3