Mathematical Modeling of Listeriosis Incorporating Effects of Awareness Programs

Awareness programs by the media play a pivotal role in the control of infectious diseases. In this paper, we formulate and analyse a mathematical model for listeriosis incorporating aware individuals. Mathematical analyses of the model are done and equilibrium points determined. The model has three equilibria; namely; the disease-free, the bacteria-free, and the endemic equilibria. Local asymptotic stability of the equilibria is established based on the food contamination threshold Numerical simulations are carried out and the effects of various parameters on the model state variables investigated. The results from numerical simulations reveal that an increase in the efficacy of awareness programs, the rate of implementation of awareness programs, and the rate at which unaware susceptible become aware result in the reduction of listeriosis in the human population. The results have important implications in the control and management of listeriosis.