Kinetic and macroscopic epidemic models in presence of multiple heterogeneous populations

TL;DR

This paper investigates how contact heterogeneity among multiple susceptible populations influences epidemic dynamics, using Boltzmann-type equations and deriving macroscopic models to understand observable epidemic effects.

Contribution

It introduces a novel approach combining Boltzmann-type equations with macroscopic models to analyze contact heterogeneity in epidemic spread.

Findings

Heterogeneity significantly affects epidemic progression.

Derived macroscopic models accurately reflect contact heterogeneity impacts.

Framework applicable to various infectious diseases.

Abstract

We study the impact of contact heterogeneity on epidemic dynamics. A system characterized by multiple susceptible populations is considered. The description of the spread of an infectious disease is obtained through the study of a system of Boltzmann-type equations for the number densities of social contacts of the introduced compartments. A macroscopic system of equations characterizing observable effects of the epidemic is then derived to assess the impact of contact heterogeneity.