Dynamics of a Zika epidemic model with saturated incidence in spatially heterogeneous environments

To explore the influence of spatial heterogeneity on Zika virus (ZIKV), we formulate a reaction-diffusion model with a saturated incidence rate to better capture these real world dynamics. The basic reproduction number $\mathfrak{R}_{0}$ is derived, and threshold dynamics are established. When $\mathfrak{R}_{0}<1$, the disease will eventually die out; when $\mathfrak{R}_{0}>1$, the infection becomes uniformly persistent, and the system admits at least one endemic equilibrium. Numerical simulations validate the theoretical findings and further illustrate how spatial heterogeneity affects the spread and persistence of ZIKV. These findings underscore the importance of region specific control measures in managing ZIKV transmission.