https://doi.org/10.1140/epjp/s13360-025-06123-4
Regular Article
Impact of environmental contamination on Lassa fever transmission dynamics: a mathematical modelling approach
1
Department of Mathematics, Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria
2
Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, Elizade University, Ilara-Mokin, Ondo State, Nigeria
3
Department of Mathematics, Saveetha School of Engineering, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, 602105, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
4
Department of Mathematics, Universitas Airlangga, Kampus C Mulyorejo, Surabaya, Indonesia
5
Department of Decision Sciences, University of South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa
6
Department of Mathematical and Computing Sciences, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Koladaisi University, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria
Received:
20
December
2024
Accepted:
12
February
2025
Published online:
6
March
2025
This study examines how environmental pollution influences the dynamics of Lassa fever transmission through a mathematical modelling framework. A novel SEQIR-SEI-C model was developed to incorporate human and rodent populations and environmental contamination as key transmission factors. The model was analysed to understand the influence of key parameters of the model, such as quarantine rates, rodent demographics, and contamination clearance, on the dynamics of disease spread. The study highlights the importance of controlling environmental contamination and quarantining infected individuals to mitigate Lassa fever outbreaks. Numerical simulations reveal that reducing transmission rates from contaminated surfaces and enhancing environmental clearance can significantly lower infection rates. The findings underscore the importance of hygiene practices, rodent population control, and effective quarantine strategies in reducing the endemicity of the disease. This research provides a comprehensive framework for policymakers to design targeted interventions to manage Lassa fever outbreaks.
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© The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Società Italiana di Fisica and Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature 2025
Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.
