Figure 1.

Schematic diagram of the model compartments and variables.

S(t): susceptible individuals who can be infected by Ebola virus following contact with infectious cases (Figure 1a), or who can be immunized (Figure 1i).

E(t): exposed individuals who have been infected by Ebola virus but are not yet infectious or symptomatic (during incubation period).

I(t): symptomatic and infectious individuals in the community.

H(t): hospitalized Ebola cases who are infectious.

F(t): dead Ebola cases who may transmit the disease before safe burial.

R(t): individuals removed from the chain of transmission [immunized or isolated without causing a new case (Figure 1i), cured (Figure 1f, 1g) or dead (Figure 1e)].