Modeling the latent period in compartmental epidemiological models

Abstract

Two epidemiological models for the latent period are studied: the SEIR model and the SIR model with delay. Stability analysis of the endemic and the disease-free equilibria is performed for both models, and the basic reproduction number is determined. Using the meningococcal disease datasets of four countries, the best-fitted disease transmission rate is estimated by the least squares method, and the corresponding basic reproduction numbers are calculated for each country.