Speaker
Description
Cholera remains a global threat, as highlighted by the 2010 Haiti outbreak, where poor sanitation led to severe exposure. With limited vaccines and treatments, control efforts rely on awareness campaigns and sanitation to promote preventive behavior.
We developed a cholera transmission model incorporating public awareness and behavioral responses. Stability was analyzed using the basic reproduction number, and the model was calibrated to Haiti outbreak data. Sensitivity analysis assessed how awareness-driven behavior influences disease dynamics.
Results show that weakening precautions by 38.5% while doubling transmission increases peak infections by 135%. Strengthening precautions by the same amount under baseline transmission reduces the peak to 68.5%, demonstrating the power of behavior change. Doubling sanitation lowers the peak to just 4.66%, confirming hygiene as a key measure. A 50% drop in antibiotic use, combined with reduced precautions, raises peak infections by nearly 20%. Even under baseline transmission, a 37% increase in precautions cuts cumulative cases by about 27%.
Findings indicate that ignoring behavioral and sanitation interventions can worsen outbreaks, while combining awareness campaigns with vaccination significantly reduces infections and disease burden. This work underscores the critical role of human behavior and timely information in cholera control.
Blockquote
