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Published on: May 30, 2017
Global dynamics of cholera models with differential infectivity
Zhisheng Shuai1, P van den Driessche
1Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada V8W 3R4. zshuai@uvic.ca
This study presents a general cholera model with direct and indirect transmission routes. The model predicts disease extinction if the basic reproduction number (R0) is less than or equal to 1, and endemic persistence if R0 is greater than 1.
Area of Science:
- Epidemiology
- Mathematical Biology
- Infectious Disease Modeling
Background:
- Cholera remains a significant global health threat, necessitating robust mathematical models for understanding transmission dynamics.
- Existing cholera models often simplify transmission pathways and disease progression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a comprehensive compartmental model for cholera transmission.
- To incorporate non-linear incidence, multiple infection stages, and pathogen states.
- To analyze the model's threshold dynamics and epidemic outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Formulation of a general compartmental model with direct and indirect transmission routes.
- Determination of the basic reproduction number (R0).
- Application of Lyapunov functions and graph-theoretic methods (Kirchhoff's Matrix Tree Theorem) for stability analysis.
Main Results:
- The model establishes a sharp threshold for cholera transmission based on R0.
- If R0 ≤ 1, the model predicts disease die-out.
- If R0 > 1, the model indicates a unique endemic equilibrium, signifying persistent disease.
Conclusions:
- The developed model provides a more inclusive framework for cholera dynamics.
- The basic reproduction number (R0) is a critical determinant of cholera's epidemiological fate.
- Model simulations highlight the impact of transmission assumptions on epidemic final size.
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