Optimizing control strategies for monkeypox through mathematical modeling

Abstract

Monkeypox is a zoonotic viral disease similar to smallpox, has emerged as a major global health concern following the COVID-19 pandemic. This study presents a novel mathematical model aimed at analyzing various epidemiological factors, particularly the less-explored transmission from humans to monkeys, where both species act as carriers. Our approach integrates comprehensive awareness campaigns, strict security measures, and targeted health interventions to limit transmission between hosts, with the goal of reducing human infections and eliminating the virus among animal populations. The model utilizes the continuous-time Pontryagin maximum principle to determine and apply optimal control strategies, with iterative simulations conducted in Matlab. Our results, derived from these simulations, show that implementing all proposed preventative strategies—such as public awareness efforts, isolation of infected monkeys, and vaccination—simultaneously is the most effective method to control the virus’s spread. We observed a significant reduction in both human and animal infections when these strategies were combined. The study’s conclusions provide important insights into the transmission dynamics of monkeypox, highlighting the critical role of multifaceted intervention strategies in controlling outbreaks. These findings are expected to support more effective public health management and contribute to the global effort to contain and ultimately eradicate monkeypox.