A two host species stage-structured model of West Nile virus transmission

• Main Author: Beebe, Taylor A
• Format: Others
• Published: VCU Scholars Compass 2016
• Subjects: Vector-borne disease; Host stage structure; Heterogeneity; Differential equation; West Nile virus; Applied Mathematics
• Online Access: http://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/etd/4225; http://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=5316&context=etd

We develop and evaluate a novel host-vector model of West Nile virus (WNV) transmission that incorporates multiple avian host species and host stage-structure (juvenile and adult stages), with both species-specific and stage-specific biting rates of vectors on hosts. We use this model to explore WNV transmission dynamics that occur between vectors and multiple structured host populations as a result of heterogeneous biting rates. Our analysis shows that increased exposure of juvenile hosts results in earlier, more intense WNV transmission when compared to the effects of differential host species exposure, regardless of other parameter values. We also find that, in addition to competence, increased juvenile exposure is an important mechanism for determining the effect of species diversity on the disease risk of a community.