Mathematical modeling for canine rabies: comparison of vaccination and euthanasia models

• Grant number: 07/01860-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: July 01, 2007
• End date: December 31, 2008
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Collective Health - Public Health
• Principal Investigator: Marcos Amaku
• Grantee: Raul Ossada
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia (FMVZ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Rabies is a zoonosis caused by a virus, with no effective treatment available, after the onset of clinical symptoms. Thus, prevention of animal rabies is the most important tool to control human rabies. In this project, we intend to establish a comparison between two strategies (vaccination and euthanasia) to control rabies in dogs through the analysis of deterministic mathematical models. In the modeling, we intend to compare frequency-dependent and density-dependent transmission terms. The results of the mathematical simulations will contribute to the discussion of the relative impact between these two rabies control strategies. Besides, this project will offer to the student a training on the design of mathematical models applied to topics in Public Health.