What Types of Animals are Commonly Used in Epidemiological Research?

A variety of animals are used in epidemiological research, each serving specific roles based on their biological characteristics and relevance to human diseases. Mice and rats are commonly used due to their genetic similarities to humans and their well-understood biology. Non-human primates are often used for studying diseases that closely mimic human conditions, such as HIV/AIDS. Other animals, like ferrets, are used for respiratory diseases, while pigs are valuable in studying zoonotic diseases due to their physiological similarities to humans.