Document Detail


Network epidemic models with two levels of mixing.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  18280521     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
The study of epidemics on social networks has attracted considerable attention recently. In this paper, we consider a stochastic SIR (susceptible-->infective-->removed) model for the spread of an epidemic on a finite network, having an arbitrary but specified degree distribution, in which individuals also make casual contacts, i.e. with people chosen uniformly from the population. The behaviour of the model as the network size tends to infinity is investigated. In particular, the basic reproduction number R(0), that governs whether or not an epidemic with few initial infectives can become established is determined, as are the probability that an epidemic becomes established and the proportion of the population who are ultimately infected by such an epidemic. For the case when the infectious period is constant and all individuals in the network have the same degree, the asymptotic variance and a central limit theorem for the size of an epidemic that becomes established are obtained. Letting the rate at which individuals make casual contacts decrease to zero yields, heuristically, corresponding results for the model without casual contacts, i.e. for the standard SIR network epidemic model. A deterministic model that approximates the spread of an epidemic that becomes established in a large population is also derived. The theory is illustrated by numerical studies, which demonstrate that the asymptotic approximations work well, even for only moderately sized networks, and that the degree distribution and the inclusion of casual contacts can each have a major impact on the outcome of an epidemic.
Authors:
Frank Ball; Peter Neal
Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't     Date:  2008-01-11
Journal Detail:
Title:  Mathematical biosciences     Volume:  212     ISSN:  0025-5564     ISO Abbreviation:  Math Biosci     Publication Date:  2008 Mar 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2008-03-03     Completed Date:  2008-05-01     Revised Date:  2009-11-11    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  0103146     Medline TA:  Math Biosci     Country:  United States    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  69-87     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
School of Mathematical Sciences, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, UK. frank.ball@nottingham.ac.uk
Export Citation:
APA/MLA Format     Download EndNote     Download BibTex
MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Basic Reproduction Number
Computer Simulation
Disease Outbreaks*
Humans
Models, Biological*
Monte Carlo Method
Social Support*
Stochastic Processes

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


Previous Document:  Uroscopy in Byzantium (330-1453 AD).
Next Document:  A rare lesion of the central nervous system: inflammatory pseudotumor