A game-theoretic model of lymphatic filariasis prevention

Abstract

Lymphatic filariasis (LF) is a mosquito-borne parasitic neglected tropical disease. In 2000, WHO launched the Global Programme to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis (GPELF) as a public health problem. In 2020, new goals for 2030 were set which includes a reduction to 0 of the total population requiring Mass Drug Administrations (MDA), a primary tool of GPELF. We develop a mathematical model to study what can happen at the end of MDA. We use a game-theoretic approach to assess the voluntary use of insect repellents in the prevention of the spread of LF through vector bites. Our results show that when individuals use what they perceive as optimal levels of protection, the LF incidence rates will become high. This is in striking difference to other vector-borne NTDs such as Chagas or zika. We conclude that the voluntary use of the protection alone will not be enough to keep LF eliminated as a public health problem and a more coordinated effort will be needed at the end of MDA.

Voluntary vaccination may not stop monkeypox outbreak: A game-theoretic model

“…The vaccination games have been applied to protection strategies to control diseases such as smallpox [58,59], chickenpox [60], polio [61], influenza [62], Ebola [63], COVID-19 [64][65][66], chikungunya [67], Hepatitis B [68], lymphatic filiarisis [69]. [70] used the game theoretic framework to assess vaccination strategies with the presence of animal reservoirs of infection.…”