A simple agent-based model of malaria transmission investigating intervention methods and acquired immunity

Abstract

Malaria, an infectious disease prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa, is transmitted to humans through mosquito bites, and ordinary differential equation models have often been used to describe the spread of the disease. A basic agent-based model (ABM) of malaria transmission is established and compared to an ODE model of the disease in order to ascertain the similarity of the ABM to typical modeling approaches. Additionally, the ABM is described using protocol from current literature. In order to illustrate the flexibility of the ABM, the basic ABM is modified to incorporate the use of insecticide-treated bed nets (ITNs) and the effect of acquired immunity. The simulations incorporating acquired immunity and the use of ITNs show a decrease in the prevalence of the disease due to these factors. Additionally, the ABM can easily be modified to account for other complicated issues affecting malaria spread.

Towards malaria control and elimination in Ghana: challenges and decision making tools to guide planning

“…Other models in Nigeria, Ivory Coast and Mali aided the investigation of malaria transmission dynamics,[38] the conduct of stability analyses,[39,40] investigation of the impact of ITNs and malaria acquired immunity [41] and the study of the relationship between temperature and precipitation with malaria incidence. [42]…”