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. 2020 Apr 25;107:106442. doi: 10.1016/j.aml.2020.106442

Dynamics of an SEIR model with infectivity in incubation period and homestead-isolation on the susceptible

Jianjun Jiao 1,, Zuozhi Liu 1, Shaohong Cai 1
PMCID: PMC7182770  PMID: 32341623

Abstract

In this paper, we present an SEIR epidemic model with infectivity in incubation period and homestead-isolation on the susceptible. We prove that the infection-free equilibrium point is locally and globally asymptotically stable with condition R0<1. We also prove that the positive equilibrium point is locally and globally asymptotically stable with condition R0>1. Numerical simulations are employed to illustrate our results. In the absence of vaccines or antiviral drugs for the virus, our results suggest that the governments should strictly implement the isolation system to make every effort to curb propagation of disease during the epidemic.

Keywords: An SEIR epidemic model, Homestead-isolation on the susceptible, Infectivity in incubation period, Infection-free

1. Introduction

The establishing and analyzing mathematical models play important roles in the control and prevention of disease transmission. Compartment model is the base and also a powerful mathematical framework for understanding the complex dynamics of epidemics. At present, Many researchers [1], [2], [3] are increasingly interested in the influence of these behavioral factors on the spread of infectious diseases. Cooke and Driessche [4] proposed and investigated a classical SEIR epidemic model, which has became the most important model in diseases control. Therefore, ODEs, PDEs and SDEs are employed to study SEIR epidemic models, and some results could be found in literatures [5], [6], [7], [8]. Zhao et al. [9] investigated an extended SEIR epidemic model with non-communicability in incubation period. National Health Commission of the People’s Republic of China declared that the incubation period of the COVID-19 is about ten days, the incubation period is infectious [10]. The COVID-19 outbreak in China presents that physical protection and social isolation are critical to controlling the epidemic in the absence of vaccines or antiviral drugs for the virus.

2. The model

Inspired by the above discussions, we consider an SEIR epidemic model with infectivity in incubation period and homestead-isolation on the susceptible.

dS(t)dt=Λβ(1θ1)S(t)[I(t)+θ2E(t)]μS(t),dE(t)dt=β(1θ1)S(t)[I(t)+θ2E(t)](δ+μ)E(t),dI(t)dt=δE(t)(γ+σ+μ)I(t),dR(t)dt=(γ+θ3σ)I(t)μR(t), (2.1)

where S(t) represents the numbers of the susceptible population at time t. E(t) represents the numbers of the exposed population at time t. I(t) represents the numbers of the infected population at time t. R(t) represents the numbers of the recovered population at time t. Λ>0 represents the enrolling rate. β>0 represents the infective rate from S to E. 0<θ1<1 represents the homestead-isolation rate of the susceptible. 0<θ2<1 represents the infective effect of the exposed in incubation period. μ>0 represents the natural death rate. δ>0 represents the transition rate from E to I. γ>0 represents the transition rate from I to R. σ>0 represents hospitalized rate of I for the disease. θ3>0 represents the recurring rate of I, and δ>θ2(γ+σ+μ).

3. The dynamics

In this paper, We only consider the following system for R(t) being not involved in the first, second and third equations of (2.1).

dS(t)dt=Λβ(1θ1)S(t)[I(t)+θ2E(t)]μS(t),dE(t)dt=β(1θ1)S(t)[I(t)+θ2E(t)](δ+μ)E(t),dI(t)dt=δE(t)(γ+σ+μ)I(t). (3.1)

Then, one equilibrium point of system (3.1) can be easily obtained P0(S0,0,0) with S0=Λμ, and another equilibrium P(S,E,I) of system (3.1) is also obtained,where S=(γ+σ+μ)(δ+μ)β(1θ)[δ+θ2(γ+σ+μ)], E=Λβ(1θ1)[δ+θ2(γ+σ+μ)]μ(γ+σ+μ)(δ+μ)δ+μ, I=δ{Λβ(1θ1)[δ+θ2(γ+σ+μ)]}(γ+σ+μ)(δ+μ) μ(γ+σ+μ)(δ+μ)(γ+σ+μ)(δ+μ) with Λβ(1θ1)[δ+θ2(γ+σ+μ)]>μ(γ+σ+μ)(δ+μ). Then, we define the basic reproduction number of system (3.1) as

R0=Λβ(1θ1)[δ+θ2(γ+σ+μ)]μ(γ+σ+μ)(δ+μ).

Theorem 3.1

The equilibrium point P0(Λμ,0,0) system (3.1) is locally asymptotically stable if only if R0<1 .

Proof

System (3.1) is linearized at equilibrium point P0(Λμ,0,0), and its Jacobian matrix J0 is

J0=μβ(1θ1)θ2S0β(1θ1)S00β(1θ1)θ2S0(δ+μ)β(1θ1)S00δ(γ+σ+μ). (3.2)

We can easily have f0(λ)=det[λIJ0], where

f0(λ)=(λ+μ){[λ+(δ+μ)β(1θ1)θ2S0][λ+(γ+σ+μ)]δβ(1θ1)S0}, (3.3)

(3.3) is obviously a cubic polynomial, we can replace the coefficient with a3,a2,a1,a0. Therefore, (3.3) can be rewritten as

f0(λ)=a3λ3+a2λ2+a1λ+a0, (3.4)

where a0=μ(ABC), a1=[(ABC)+μ(A+B)], a2=μ+A+B, a3=1 with A=(δ+μ)β(1θ1)θ2S0, B=γ+σ+μ, C=δβ(1θ1)S0.

According to Routh–Hurwitz criterion, equilibrium point P0(Λμ,0,0) of system (3.1) is locally asymptotically stable if only if (i)a0,a1,a2,a3>0, and (ii)a1a2a0a3>0.

If Λβ(1θ1)[δ+θ2(γ+σ+μ)]<μ(γ+σ+μ)(δ+μ), then,

a0=μ(ABC)=μ(γ+σ+μ)(δ+μ)Λβ(1θ1)[δ+θ2(γ+σ+μ)]>0,
a1=[(ABC)+μ(A+B)]>(δ+μ)(γ+σ+μ)
Λβ(1θ1)[δ+θ2(γ+σ+μ)]μ+μ(δ+μ)(γ+σ+μ)Λβ(1θ1)[δ+θ2(γ+σ+μ)]μ(γ+σ+μ)>0,
a2=μ+A+B=μ+(δ+μ)β(1θ1)θ2S0+γ+σ+μ
>μ(γ+σ+μ)(δ+μ)Λβ(1θ1)[δ+θ2(γ+σ+μ)]μ(δ+μ)>0,

and a3=1>0. Therefore, a0,a1,a2,a3 satisfy the condition (i) of Routh–Hurwitz criterion. While a0<μ(δ+μ)(γ+σ+μ), a1>μ(γ+σ+μ) and a2>(δ+μ), hence, a1a2a0a3>0. Obviously, a0,a1,a2,a3 satisfy the condition (ii) of Routh–Hurwitz criterion. Therefore, equilibrium point P0(Λμ,0,0) of system (3.1) is locally asymptotically stable if only if R0<1.

Theorem 3.2

The equilibrium point P0(Λμ,0,0) system (3.1) is globally asymptotically stable if only if R0<1 .

Proof

From system (3.1), we can obtain that

ddt(S(t)+E(t)+I(t))ΛμS(t). (3.5)

This implies that

lim supt(S(t)+E(t)+I(t))Λμ. (3.6)

For t0, (3.6) shows that

Σ={(S(t),E(t),I(t))R+3S(t)+E(t)+I(t)Λμ}, (3.7)

is a positive invariant set of system (3.1).

Lyapunov functions are defined as

V1(t)=ΛμS(t)(1Λμu)du,V2(t)=E(t)+δ+μδI(t). (3.8)

For all t0, the derivatives of V1(t) and V2(t) are

dV1(t)dt=(1ΛμS(t)){Λβ(1θ1)S(t)[I(t)+θ2E(t)]μS(t)}=(ΛμS(t))2μS(t)β(1θ1)S(t)[I(t)+θ2E(t)]+Λ(1θ1)β[I(t)+θ2E(t)]μ, (3.9)

and

dV2(t)dt=β(1θ1)S(t)[I(t)+θ2E(t)]+(δ+μ)(γ+σ+μ)δI(t). (3.10)

For R0<1, we have

dV(t)dt=dV1(t)dt+dV2(t)dt=(ΛμS(t))2μS(t)(δ+μ)(γ+σ+μ)δ(1R0)I(t)0. (3.11)

As we know that dV(t)dt=0 holds if and only if S(t)=S0,E(t)=0,I(t)=0. From system (3.1), we know that {(Λμ,0,0)} is the largest invariant set in the region Σ0={(S(t),E(t),I(t))R+3dV(t)dt=0} for t0. Lyapunov–LaSallle asymptotic stability theorem in [11] implies that equilibrium (Λμ,0,0) of system (3.1) is globally asymptotically stable.

Theorem 3.3

If R0>1 , Equilibrium point P(S,E,I) of system (3.1) is locally asymptotically stable.

Proof

System (3.1) is linearized at equilibrium point P(S,E,I) and its Jacobian matrix J is

J=μβ(1θ1)(I+θ2E)β(1θ1)θ2Sβ(1θ1)Sβ(1θ1)(I+θ2E)β(1θ1)θ2S(δ+μ)β(1θ1)S0δ(γ+σ+μ). (3.12)

We can easily have f(λ)=det[λIJ], where

f(λ)=[λ+μ+β(1θ1)(I+θ2E)]×{[λ+(δ+μ)β(1θ1)θ2S][λ+(γ+σ+μ)]δβ(1θ1)S}+β(1θ1)(I+θ2E)[β(1θ1)θ2S(λ+γ+σ+μ)+δβ(1θ1)S]. (3.13)

(3.13) is obviously a cubic polynomial, we can replace the coefficient of (3.13) with a3,a2,a1,a0. Therefore, (3.13) can be rewritten as

f(λ)=a3λ3+a2λ2+a1λ+a0, (3.14)

where a0=A(BCD)+(Aμ){[B(δ+μ)]C+D}, a1=BCD+AB+AC+(Aμ)[B(δ+μ)], a2=A+B+C, a3=1, where A=μ+β(1θ1)[I+θ2E]>0, B=(δ+μ)β(1θ1)θ2S>0, C=γ+σ+μ>0, D=δβ(1θ1)S>0.

According to Routh–Hurwitz criterion, equilibrium point P(S,E,I) of system (3.1) is locally asymptotically stable if only if (i)a0,a1,a2,a3>0, and (ii)a1a2a0a3>0. Obviously, a2>0 and a3>0. If Λβ(1θ1)[δ+θ2(γ+σ+μ)]>μ(γ+σ+μ)(δ+μ), then,

a0=A(BCD)+(Aμ){[B(δ+μ)]C+D}
=β(1θ1)[δθ2(γ+σ+μ)]{Λβ(1θ1)[δ+θ2(γ+δ+μ)]μ(γ+δ+μ)(δ+μ)}>0,
a1=BCD+AB+AC+(Aμ)[B(δ+μ)]
>[δ+(γ+σ+μ)][δ+θ2(γ+σ+μ)](γ+σ+μ)(δ+μ)
×β(1θ1)θ2(γ+σ+μ)(δ+μ){Λβ(1θ1)[δ+θ2(γ+σ+μ)]μ(γ+σ+μ)(δ+μ)}δ+θ2(γ+σ+μ)
β(1θ1)θ2(γ+σ+μ)(δ+μ){Λβ(1θ1)[δ+θ2(γ+σ+μ)]μ(γ+σ+μ)(δ+μ)}δ+θ2(γ+σ+μ)
>0.

Then, a0,a1, a2,a3 satisfy the condition (i) of Routh–Hurwitz criterion.

While a0<(Aμ)D, a1>AB+(Aμ)[B(δ+μ)] and a2>γ+σ+2μ, hence, a1a2a0a3>μδ(δ+μ)(γ+σ+μ)δ+θ2(γ+σ+μ)+μβ(1θ1)(δ+μ)I>0. Obviously, a0,a1,a2,a3 satisfy the condition (ii) of Routh–Hurwitz criterion. Therefore, equilibrium point E(S,E,I) of system (3.1) is locally asymptotically stable if only if Λβ(1θ1)[δ+θ2(γ+δ+μ)]>μ(γ+δ+μ)(δ+μ).

Theorem 3.4

Equilibrium point P(S,E,I) of system (3.1) is globally asymptotically stable if and only if R0>1 .

Proof

Lyapunov functions are defined as

V3(t)=SS(t)(1Su)du, (3.15)

and

V4(t)=E(t)EElnE(t)E+δ+μδ[I(t)IIlnI(t)I]. (3.16)

For all t0, the derivatives of V3(t) and V4(t) are

dV3(t)dt=(1SS(t))[Λβ(1θ1)S(t)(I(t)+θ2E(t))μS(t)]=μ(SS(t))(1SS(t))+(δ+μ)E(1SS(t))[1S(t)(I(t)+θ2E(t))S(I+θ2E)], (3.17)

and

dV4(t)dt=(1EE(t))dE(t)dt+δ+μδ[1II(t)]dI(t)dt(δ+μ)E(t)Iδ+(δ+μ)(γ+σ+μ)Iδ=(δ+μ)E{S(t)[S(t)+θ2E(t)]S[I+θ2E]β(1θ1)S(t)[I(t)+θ2E(t)](δ+μ)E(t)+1I(t)IE(t)II(t)E+1}. (3.18)

Then,

dV(t)dt=dV3(t)dt+dV4(t)dt=μ(SS(t))2S(t)+(δ+μ)E[3SS(t)S(t)I(t)ESIE(t)E(t)II(t)E]μ(SS(t))2S(t)(δ+μ)E(SS(t))2SS(t)0. (3.19)

Therefore, dV(t)dt=0 holds if only if S(t)=S,E(t)=E,I(t)=I. Applying Lyapunov–LaSalle asymptotic stable theorem in [11], {(S,E,I)} is the largest invariant set in 0, and it is globally asymptotically stable. This completes the proof.

4. Conclusion and simulations

In this work, we consider an SEIR epidemic model with infectivity in incubation period and homestead-isolation on the susceptible. The basic reproduction number of system (2.1) is obtained as

R0=Λβ(1θ1)[δ+θ2(γ+σ+μ)]μ(γ+σ+μ)(δ+μ).

We have proved that the infection-free equilibrium point Po is locally and globally asymptotically stable if only if R0<1. We also have proved that if R0>1, equilibrium point P is locally and globally asymptotically stable. If it is assumed that S(0)=100,E(0)=15,I(0)=20,Λ=10,β=0.2,θ2=0.1,μ=0.3,δ=0.3,γ=0.2,σ=0.2, we employ with computer aided techniques to obtain the threshold θ10.85 of parameter θ1 (see (a) in Fig. 1.). If we select θ1=0.7, the basic reproduction number of system (2.1)R0=1.7619>1, it can be seen that the equilibrium point P is globally asymptotically stable.(see (b) in Fig. 1.). If we select l=0.9, the basic reproduction number of system (2.1)R0=0.5873<1, it can be seen that the equilibrium point P0 is globally asymptotically stable.(see (c) in Fig. 1.). The proofs and the numerical simulations are employed to illustrate that the strategies of the homestead-isolation on the susceptible are very important in the epidemics of infectious diseases. Our results suggest that the governments should strictly implement the isolation system to make every effort to curb propagation of disease.

Fig. 1.

Fig. 1

Threshold analysis of parameter θ1 and the basic reproduction number R0 of system (2.1) with S(0)=100,E(0)=15,I(0)=20,Λ=10,β=0.2,θ2=0.1,μ=0.3,δ=0.3,γ=0.2,σ=0.2, (a) I(t) changes with parameter θ1; (b) Time series of S(t),E(t), and I(t) change with parameter θ1=0.7; (c) Time series of S(t),E(t), and I(t) change with parameter θ1=0.9.

CRediT authorship contribution statement

Jianjun Jiao: Writing-orginal draft. Zuozhi Liu: Simulations. Shaohong Cai: Writing - review & editing.

Footnotes

Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (11761019,11361014), the Science Technology Foundation of Guizhou Province, China (20175736-001,2008038), the Project of High Level Creative Talents in Guizhou Province, China (No.20164035),and Major Research Projects on Innovative Groups in Guizhou Provincial Education Department (No.[2018]019).

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