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Dynamical analysis and control strategies in modeling anthrax

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Abstract

Anthrax is an acute infectious disease caused by the spore-forming bacterium Bacillus anthracis. It occurs most frequently as a disease of herbivores (e.g., cattle, goats and sheep) that acquire spores from direct contact with contaminated soil. In this paper, we formulate a new mathematical modeling framework to explore the spread of anthrax in the community. Our models include essential components such as fast and slow progression, carcass disposal and vector population. The existence of the disease-free equilibrium is discussed, the basic reproduction number is calculated, and the effect of carcass disposal on the basic reproduction number is studied. Our results suggest that carcass disposal may significantly reduce the spread of anthrax. Carcass disposal targeted at 85 % or more can be effective at stopping the spread of anthrax in the community.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank the two anonymous reviewers and the editor for their suggestions that improved this paper.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mathematics, University of Zimbabwe, P.O. Box MP 167, Harare, Zimbabwe

    Steady Mushayabasa

  2. Department of Mathematics, University of Dar es Salaam, P.O. Box 35062, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

    Theresia Marijani

  3. Department of Geography and Environmental Science, University of Zimbabwe, P.O. Box MP 167, Harare, Zimbabwe

    Mhosisi Masocha

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  1. Steady Mushayabasa
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  2. Theresia Marijani
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  3. Mhosisi Masocha
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Correspondence to Steady Mushayabasa.

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Communicated by Florence Hubert.

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Mushayabasa, S., Marijani, T. & Masocha, M. Dynamical analysis and control strategies in modeling anthrax. Comp. Appl. Math. 36, 1333–1348 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40314-015-0297-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40314-015-0297-1

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