Application of optimal control strategies for the dynamics of yellow fever

Abstract

In this article, we present an application of optimal control theory to assess the effectiveness of control measures on the dynamics of YF. We formulate and analyse a deterministic mathematical model with personal protection, educational campaign and spray of insecticides as control variables using optimal control theory and Pontryagins Maximum Principle. The optimal controls are characterized in terms of optimality system, and solved numerically for several scenarios. The results show that multiple optimal control measures is most effective strategy to bring a stable disease-free situation compared to a single control. However, spray of insecticides alone was seen as not effective without personal protection, and optimal use of personal protection alone might be beneficial to minimize transmission of the infection to the community.