Nonlinear SIRS Fractional-Order Model: Analysing the Impact of Public Attitudes towards Vaccination, Government Actions, and Social Behavior on Disease Spread

Abstract

This present work develops a nonlinear SIRS fractional-order model with a system of four equations in the Caputo sense. This study examines the impact of positive and negative attitudes towards vaccination, as well as the role of government actions, social behavior and public reaction on the spread of infectious diseases. The local stability of the equilibrium points is analyzed. Sensitivity analysis is conducted to calculate and discuss the sensitivity index of various parameters. It has been established that the illness would spread across this system when the basic reproduction number is larger than 1, the system becomes infection-free when the reproduction number lies below its threshold value of 1. Numerical figures depict the effects of positive and negative attitudes towards vaccination to make the system disease-free sooner. A comprehensive study regarding various values of the order of fractional derivatives together with integer-order derivatives has been discussed in the numerical section to obtain some useful insights into the intricate dynamics of the proposed system. The Pontryagin principle is used in the formulation and subsequent discussion of an optimum control issue. The study also reveals the significant role of government actions in controlling the epidemic. A numerical analysis has been conducted to compare the system’s behavior under optimal control and without optimal control, aiming to discern their differences. The policies implemented by the government are regarded as the most adequate control strategy, and it is determined that the execution of control mechanisms considerably diminishes the ailment burden.