Modeling Viral Zoonoses and Vector-Borne Diseases for Public Health

Research Article

 Modeling Viral Zoonoses and Vector-Borne Diseases for Public Health

Evelyn Reed^1*, Alistair Chen², Seraphina Dubois³, Kenji Tanaka⁴ , Isabella Rossi⁵

¹Department Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
²Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Microbiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
³Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
⁴Center for Virology Research, Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
⁵Department of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Emory University Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, Georgia, USA

Available online: 09 Aug 2011

Abstract

Zoonotic and vector-borne viruses pose significant threats to global public health, as evidenced by recent outbreaks of diseases like Zika, dengue, chikungunya, and avian influenza. Mathematical modeling has emerged as a powerful tool for understanding the complex transmission dynamics of these viruses, predicting epidemic trajectories, and evaluating the effectiveness of potential intervention strategies. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the mathematical models used to study zoonotic and vector-borne viral diseases. We delve into the fundamental principles underlying these models, including compartmental modeling, agent-based simulations, and network-based approaches. We explore how these models incorporate key epidemiological parameters such as transmission rates, incubation periods, and recovery rates, as well as ecological factors like vector population dynamics and host reservoir characteristics. Furthermore, we discuss the application of these models in analyzing historical outbreaks, forecasting future epidemics, and assessing the impact of various control measures, including vaccination, vector control, and travel restrictions. By synthesizing the current state of the art in mathematical modeling of zoonotic and vector-borne viruses, this review highlights the crucial role of these tools in informing public health preparedness and response efforts.

Keywords

Zoonotic Viruses; Vector-Borne Viruses; Mathematical Modeling; Epidemiological Models