Pattern dynamics of networked epidemic model with higher-order infections

Current research on pattern formations in networked reaction–diffusion (RD) systems predominantly focuses on the impacts of diffusion heterogeneity between nodes, often overlooking the contact heterogeneity between individuals within nodes in the reaction terms. In this paper, we establish a networked RD model incorporating infection through higher-order interaction in simplicial complexes in the reaction terms. Through theoretical and numerical analysis, we find that these higher-order interactions may induce Turing instability in the system. Notably, the relationship between the size of the Turing instability range and the average 2-simplices degree within nodes can be approximated by a quadratic function. Additionally, as the average 2-simplices degree increases, the amplitude of the patterns exhibits three distinct trends: increasing, decreasing, and initially increasing then decreasing, while the average infection density increases consistently. We then provide a possible explanation for these observations. Our findings offer new insights into the effects of contact heterogeneity within nodes on networked pattern formations, thereby informing the development of epidemic prevention and control measures.