Stability Analysis and Optimal Control of a Fractional Cholera Epidemic Model

In this paper, a fractional model for the transmission dynamics of cholera was developed. In invariant regions of the model, solutions were generated. Disease-free and endemic equilibrium points were obtained. The basic reproduction number was evaluated, and the sensitivity analysis was performed. Under the support of Pontryagin's maximum principle, the fractional order optimal control was obtained. Furthermore, an optimal strategy was discussed, which minimized the total number of infected individuals and the costs associated with control. Treatment, vaccination, and awareness programs were regarded as three means to reduce the number of infected. Finally, numerical simulations and cost-effectiveness analysis were presented to show the result that the best strategy was the combination of treatment and awareness programs.

Automated summary

This paper develops a fractional model for the transmission dynamics of cholera and shows that the optimal strategy for controlling the disease is a combination of treatment and awareness programs, through numerical simulations and cost-effectiveness analysis.