Mathematical models for the infectiology and cost-effectiveness of the control strategies for brucellosis

Abstract

Brucellosis is a contagious zoonotic infection caused by Gram-negative bacteria of family Bru cellaceae and genus Brucella that affects humans and animals. The disease is of economic sig nificance, veterinary interest and a public health concern in most developing countries. Direct interaction among vulnerable and infectious animals or their tainted products represent the two substantial pathways for the infection conveyance. This study aimed at developing and analyz ing deterministic mathematical models for the infectiology and cost-effectiveness of Brucellosis control measures. The control mechanisms that were taken into consideration are vaccination of livestock, culling of seropositive animals by slaughtering, personal protection, and proper en vironmental hygiene and sanitation. Both analytical and numerical simulations are presented. Sensitivity analysis of the effective reproductive number revealed that the rates of livestock mor tality, recruitment, livestock to livestock transmission, vaccination and disease-driven culling are the most sensitive parameters and should be targeted in designing of the control strategies for the disease. Optimal control and cost-effectiveness analysis of the model disclosed that merging of personal protection, environmental hygiene and sanitation, progressive slaughter ing of seropositive livestock, and livestock vaccination significantly reduces infection spread in both humans and livestock at a lower cost. Additionally, seasonal weather variations have great impact on Brucellosis transmission dynamics in human, livestock and wild animals. Therefore, for the disease to be controlled or eradicated, this study recommends the timely implementation of control measures pursuant to fluctuations in disease transmission