Research Article
A Mathematical Model of Lassa Fever Transmission and Control in Ebonyi State, Nigeria
Sunday Nwokpoku Aloke*
,
Patrick Agwu Okpara
Issue:
Volume 12, Issue 2, April 2024
Pages:
24-36
Received:
2 March 2024
Accepted:
18 March 2024
Published:
2 April 2024
Abstract: Lassa virus is transmitted from rodents to humans, but it is not known whether humans can transmit Lassa fever to rats. The virus is thought to spread to humans through contact with contaminated food or surfaces. Other forms of infection include handling rodents for food (people often get rodent blood and urine on their hands) and bites. It can also spread through the use of contaminated medical equipment, such as reusing needles. The state variables of the Lassa Fever model equation is expressed as nonlinear ordinary differential equations in the technique of an initial value problem (IVP) having 10 parameters. As a result of measuring the spread of Lassa fever and determining the stability equilibrium, Lassa fever was found to be stable at an equilibrium point ε0 for which the basic reproduction number R0< 1. This paper optimized three control measures as a means to limit the spread of Lassa fever. The first two measures - regular hand washing and keeping homes and environment clean reduced the rate and impact of transmission between rodents and humans and the treatment of Lassa fever patients reduce transmission to human hosts, which were achieved by the operation of Pontryagin’s Maximum Principle. Therefore, the results of this study demonstrate that the joint control measures adopted in this paper are effective strategies to combat the spread of disease.
Abstract: Lassa virus is transmitted from rodents to humans, but it is not known whether humans can transmit Lassa fever to rats. The virus is thought to spread to humans through contact with contaminated food or surfaces. Other forms of infection include handling rodents for food (people often get rodent blood and urine on their hands) and bites. It can als...
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Research Article
Mathematical Modelling for Rice Blast Re-Infection
Bonface Ouma Obita,
Mark Onyango Okongo,
Ochwach Onyango Jimrise,
Alice Mulama Lunani
Issue:
Volume 12, Issue 2, April 2024
Pages:
37-49
Received:
1 September 2023
Accepted:
8 November 2023
Published:
21 April 2024
Abstract: Rice is the thirdly most valued cereal crops in Kenya after maize and wheat. The demand for rice in Kenya has increased greatly over the last few years while production has still remained low. This is because rice production is affected by serious constraints especially rice diseases of which the most threatening is rice blast. Rice blast infection and re-infection can occur in different stages of rice growth and therefore need to be controlled. This study aims to developed a mathematical model for rice blast re-infection. The model employs a system of nonlinear ordinary differential equations which is analysed in details for its stability properties. Basic reproduction number Ro for rice blast re-infection was found to be less than one. Numerical simulation of the model is done using Mathematica, and graphical profile of the main variables are depicted. We conclude that rice blast re-infection reduces rice yield and necessary remedy are needed.
Abstract: Rice is the thirdly most valued cereal crops in Kenya after maize and wheat. The demand for rice in Kenya has increased greatly over the last few years while production has still remained low. This is because rice production is affected by serious constraints especially rice diseases of which the most threatening is rice blast. Rice blast infection...
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