Modeling Nipah virus dynamics and designing optimal control strategies

Abstract

This study introduces a mathematical model designed to shed light on how Nipah virus (NiV) spreads. The model emphasizes the application of control strategies to contain the virus, considering two primary transmission pathways: direct contact and transmission through animal hosts, especially bats and pigs. The goal is to deepen our understanding of how the virus spreads and to propose strategies that aim to reduce the number of infections and increase recoveries during the observation period, all while keeping the costs of these strategies low. The mathematical framework provided enables the combination of different control strategies to effectively manage the transmission dynamics of Nipah virus. By utilizing Pontryagin’s maximum principle, we identify effective measures to curb the disease’s spread. Theoretical findings are then validated through numerical simulations performed using MATLAB.