Optimal control and cost-effectiveness analysis for the human melioidosis model

Area of Science:

• Epidemiology
• Mathematical Modeling
• Public Health

Background:

• Melioidosis poses a significant public health challenge.
• Understanding epidemic dynamics is crucial for effective control.
• Optimal control strategies can enhance disease management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To formulate and investigate an optimal control problem for the melioidosis epidemic.
• To evaluate the effectiveness of time-dependent control functions.
• To identify the most effective and cost-effective control strategies.

Main Methods:

• Utilized the next-generation matrix approach to calculate the basic reproduction number with controls.
• Applied Pontryagin's maximum principle to derive the optimality system.
• Simulated the optimality system using the forward-backward sweep method with MATLAB.

Main Results:

• Strategy C demonstrated superior effectiveness in reducing infectious cases compared to Strategies A and B.
• Numerical simulations illustrated the impact of various control interventions on transmission dynamics.
• Cost-effectiveness analysis identified Strategy B (treatment) as the most recommended for disease mitigation.

Conclusions:

• Time-dependent control functions are effective in managing melioidosis spread.
• Strategy C offers the highest reduction in infectious individuals.
• Strategy B is the most cost-effective approach for melioidosis control.