MODELING THE ROLE OF WILD RODENTS IN THE DYNAMICS OF TRANSMISSION OF HEPATITIS E VIRUS WITH ZOONOTIC POTENTIAL

Abstract

 We developed a compartmental deterministic model to analyze the zoonotic potentials of HEV transmission. This model incorporates the vector-host system together with the environmental reservoir of HEV. Classification of the population also included the possible variance of the dynamics of HEV between pregnant women and non pregnant humans. An empirical study was also carried out to establish and identify a common viable host, in this case rat. The reproduction number (Ro) which is a threshold value was calculated using the next generation matrix method,which can be used to control the outbreak of HEV. Results obtained from the empirical study were used to simulate the model. The graphs show clearly that the model is valid and can be used to fit data, as these results generally compare well with existing results in literature.