Canine distemper outbreak modeled in an animal shelter

Authors

  • Ashley Dantzler Mathematics Department, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Chattanooga, TN, USA Author
  • Margaux Hujoel Mathematics Department, Harvey Mudd College, Claremont, CA, USA Author
  • Virginia Parkman Mathematics Department, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, USA Author
  • Ayana Wild Mathematics Department, Tennessee State University, Nashville, TN, USA Author
  • Suzanne Lenhart Mathematics Department, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, USA Author
  • Benjamin Levy Mathematics Department, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, USA Author
  • Rebecca Wilkes College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Tifton, GA, USA Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30707/LiB3.1Dantzler

Keywords:

Canine distemper, infectious disease modelling, basic reproductive number, ordinary differential equations

Abstract

Canine distemper virus (CDV) is a highly contagious virus that can cause outbreaks, specifically in crowding situations, such as an animal shelter, in which a large number of susceptible dogs are brought together. Introduction of this virus into a shelter can have devastating effects, potentially resulting in shelter canine depopulation. Motivated by recent outbreaks in Tennessee, a mathematical model was constructed to find relevant factors that could assist in preventing or reducing outbreaks. A system of ordinary differential equations was derived to represent the spread of CDV through susceptible, exposed, infected and recovered (S–E–I–R) classes as well as a vaccinated (V) class. Our model was adapted to represent a local Knoxville shelter. The effects of various control methods, both preventative and corrective, on disease spread were investigated.

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Published

2023-11-11

Issue

Section

Research

How to Cite

Canine distemper outbreak modeled in an animal shelter. (2023). Letters in Biomathematics, 3(1), 13-28. https://doi.org/10.30707/LiB3.1Dantzler

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