Modelling the dynamics of Tungiasis transmission in zoonotic areas

Abstract

In this paper we formulated a mathematical model for the dynamics of Tungiasis as a result of interactions between humans, animal reservoirs and sand flea populations. Tungiasis is a parasitic skin disease caused by the female flea “Tunga penetrans” that affect the economically disadvantaged communities in Latin America, the Caribbean and sub-Saharan Africa where prevalence is high and severe infestation occurs commonly. We obtained the basic reproduction number,  which has been used to determine parameter sensitivity indices so that the key parameters for the control of the disease transmission are identified. The numerical results showed that the parameters with high impact on  are; flea natural mortality rate, the contribution rate of fleas into the soil environment  and the transmission rate between soil environment and susceptible animals. The numerical simulation showed that  decreases with decreasing  and  and with increasing. Therefore to control the disease we should reduce the transmission rate between soil environment and susceptible animals by regular cleaning of the home compound, reducing the contribution rate of fleas into the environment by dusting the animals with insecticidal powder and increasing the flea mortality rate by spraying the insecticides into the premises.