title: Optimal control of vaccine distribution in a rabies metapopulation model.
abstract: We consider an SIR metapopulation model for the spread of rabies in raccoons. This system of ordinary differential equations considers subpopulations connected by movement. Vaccine for raccoons is distributed through food baits. We apply optimal control theory to find the best timing for distribution of vaccine in each of the linked subpopulations across the landscape. This strategy is chosen to limit the disease optimally by making the number of infections as small as possible while accounting for the cost of vaccination.
authors.affiliation: Environmental Science, Policy and Geography Univesity of South Florida, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, USA. easano@stpt.usf.edu
authors.forename: Erika
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Asano
authors.forename: Louis J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Gross
authors.forename: Suzanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lenhart
authors.forename: Leslie A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Real
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D000818:Animals; D000835:Animals, Wild; D005843:Geography; D015233:Models, Statistical; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D011818:Rabies / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000662:veterinary*; D011819:Rabies Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011820:Rabies virus; D011821:Raccoons; D013997:Time Factors; D014612:Vaccines
chemical_list: D011819:Rabies Vaccines; D014612:Vaccines