A Mathematical model for the dynamics and control of river blindness with asymptomatic infected humans
Date
2019-08
Authors
Tumwiine, Julius
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Strathmore University
Abstract
Onchocerciasis, also known as river blindness, is a disease caused by infection with SBS the
parasitic worm Onchocerca volvulus and is transmitted to humans through exposure to repeated
bites of infected blackflies of the genus Simulium. It is endemic mostly in remote and rural areas
in sub-Saharan Africa. Community-directed annual mass drug administration (MDA) with
ivermectin is the core to eliminate onchocerciasis in all endemic foci in Africa. However, novel
and alternative strategies such as vaccination are urgently required to supplement elimination of
the disease. In this study, a mathematical model with asymptomatic infected humans is
formulated to assess the impact of the different control strategies. Model analysis is performed
for the existence and stability of the equilibrium points. The next generation approach is used
to calculate the basic reproduction number, Ro. The disease-free equilibrium (DFE) is locally
asymptotically stable when Ro < 1. The study findings reveal that a combination of mass
treatment s with ivermectin together with vaccination should be applied to eliminate the disease.
Description
Paper presented at the 5th Strathmore International Mathematics Conference (SIMC 2019), 12 - 16 August 2019, Strathmore University, Nairobi, Kenya
Keywords
Basic reproduction number, Endemic, Mass drug administration, Vaccination