Modeling Reinfection and Behavioral Awareness in Lassa Fever Dynamics

Abstract

This study extends the Lassa fever model developed by Eli and Abanum (2022) by incorporating reinfection and awareness driven behavioral changes. The modified model divides the human population into susceptible, infected, recovered and aware compartments to account for partial immunity and behavioral adaptation. Analytical expressions for the basic reproduction number (R0) are derived using the next generation matrix approach. Stability analysis of the disease-free equilibrium and sensitivity of R0 to key parameters are performed. Results show that awareness reduces the effective contact rate, thereby lowering R0, while reinfection increases the potential for disease persistence. Numerical simulations confirm that increasing public awareness and reducing reinfection significantly enhance disease control and stability.