The optimal treatment of an infectious disease with two strains.pdf (872.09 kB)
The optimal treatment of an infectious disease with two strains
journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-09, 23:31 authored by Robert Rowthorn, Selma WaltherSelma WaltherThis paper explores the optimal treatment of an infectious disease in a Susceptible-Infected-Susceptible model, where there are two strains of the disease and one strain is more infectious than the other. The strains are perfectly distinguishable, instantly diagnosed and equally costly in terms of social welfare. Treatment is equally costly and effective for both strains. Eradication is not possible, and there is no superinfection. In this model, we characterise two types of fixed points: coexistence equilibria, where both strains prevail, and boundary equilibria, where one strain is asymptotically eradicated and the other prevails at a positive level. We derive regimes of feasibility that determine which equilibria are feasible for which parameter combinations. Numerically, we show that optimal policy exhibits switch points over time, and that the paths to coexistence equilibria exhibit spirals, suggesting that coexistence equilibria are never the end points of optimal paths.
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Publication status
- Published
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- Published version
Journal
Journal of Mathematical BiologyISSN
0303-6812Publisher
SpringerExternal DOI
Volume
74Page range
1753-1791Event location
GermanyDepartment affiliated with
- Economics Publications
Full text available
- Yes
Peer reviewed?
- Yes
Legacy Posted Date
2021-04-08First Open Access (FOA) Date
2021-04-08First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date
2021-04-05Usage metrics
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