Mathematical Analysis of Rabies Infection

Abstract

A mathematical model is proposed to study the dynamics of the transmission of rabies, incorporating predation of dogs by humans. The model is shown to have a unique disease-free equilibrium which is globally asymptotically stable whenever <mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" id="M1"><mml:mrow><mml:msub><mml:mrow><mml:mi mathvariant="normal">ℛ</mml:mi></mml:mrow><mml:mrow><mml:mn>0</mml:mn></mml:mrow></mml:msub><mml:mo>≤</mml:mo><mml:mn>1</mml:mn></mml:mrow></mml:math>. Local sensitivity analysis suggests that the disease can be controlled through reducing contact with infected dogs, increasing immunization of dogs, screening recruited dogs, culling of infected dogs, and use of dog meat as a delicacy.