Mathematical modelling of the spread and control of onchocerciasis in tropical countries: Case study in Nigeria

Abstract

Onchocerciasis, also known as river blindness and Robles disease, is a parasitic disease caused by Onchocerca volvulus, a nematode (roundworm), and it is endemic in tropical countries like Nigeria. The objective of this paper is to discuss the mathematical formulation underpinning the spread and control of this disease on one hand. On the other hand, we make use of some new analytical methods to derive the solution of the resulting set of equations. The numerical results are presented to test the efficiency and the accuracy of both methods. The techniques used for solving these problems are friendly, very easy, and less time consuming. The numerical solutions in both cases display the biological behaviour of the real life situation.