OPTIMAL CONTROL OF VECTOR-BORNE DISEASES THROUGH AWARENESS PROGRAMS ON VACCINATION AND SANITATION PRACTICES

Vector-borne diseases are a significant global challenge. Due to lack of awareness, human activities create a favorable environment for vectors to reproduce and grow, resulting in a rapid spread of diseases. We have proposed a nonlinear mathematical model to study the impact of awareness programs aimed at vaccination and sanitation on the spread of vector-borne disease. The proposed model is studied under two scenarios. Scenario I considers the diseases, which are not vector-borne, whereas Scenario II considers the diseases, which are spread by human to human transmission as well as through vectors. It is also desirable to control the extent of spread of the disease as well as the total incurred cost including expenses on treatment, vaccination, sanitation, and awareness programs. Therefore, optimal control technique has been employed in the proposed model to determine the cost-optimal strategy. In this process, a variable implementation rate of such programs over time is considered. The analytical findings are illustrated through numerical simulations.