A Schistosomiasis Model with Mating Structure

A schistosomiasis model is proposed including single schistosomes, paired schistosomes, snails, and the latent period of infected snails. A reasonable sex ratio of schistosomes and the minimum mating function are considered. A threshold condition determining the stability of the system is given, and...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Longxing Qi, Jing-an Cui
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Hindawi Limited 2013-01-01
Series:Abstract and Applied Analysis
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2013/741386
Description
Summary:A schistosomiasis model is proposed including single schistosomes, paired schistosomes, snails, and the latent period of infected snails. A reasonable sex ratio of schistosomes and the minimum mating function are considered. A threshold condition determining the stability of the system is given, and the stability of equilibrium for the model is shown. The impact of the latent period of infected snails on schistosomiasis transmission can be found through numerical simulations. Finally, preferable control strategies are obtained by sensitivity analyses. Killing snails may be the preferred control measure. If we choose chemotherapy, we should use some drugs which are sufficient for reducing egg-associated pathology, since paired schistosomes are mostly harmful to definitive hosts.
ISSN:1085-3375
1687-0409