Control Strategies for the Spread of Malaria in Humans With Variable Attractiveness

The transmission dynamics of malaria in humans with variable attractiveness is modeled with the possibility of prophylactic measures such as personal protection and treatment. At the disease-free equilibria, the basic reproduction number and a measure for effective disease control are computed. Simulations show that a 10% increase in personal protection leads to a decrease in secondary transmission, and that a 10% increase in the treatment rate leads to a 7% reduction in secondary transmission. Personal protection and effective treatment should be applied together. Personal protection fails with increasing degree of attractiveness.