Optimal control intervention strategies using an n-patch waterborne disease model

Abstract

Waterborne diseases are an important concern in public health, especially in communities with limited access to clean water. Differ-ent community subpopulations can require different copping strategies for the same diseases. Modeling is one method to assist understanding and the development of effective strategies. To this end, we investigated the use of meta-population models with three types of control interventions: vaccination, treatment, and water purification. Important mathematical features of the model are determined and examined. Optimal control, applied to the model, is also formulated to determine the effective strategies to reduce the spread of the disease. For example, using optimal control, a four-fold reduc-tion in infected individuals is possible. The value of such an improvement to the communities involved would be significant.