TITLE:
A Mathematical Model Exploring the Impact of Climatic Factors on Malaria Transmission Dynamics in Burundi
AUTHORS:
Kelly Joëlle Gatore Sinigirira, Wandera Ogana, Servat Nyandwi, Jean De Dieu Kwizera, David Niyukuri
KEYWORDS:
Malaria, Temperature, Rainfall, Reproduction Number and Analysis
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Applied Mathematics and Physics,
Vol.12 No.11,
November
15,
2024
ABSTRACT: Mathematical modeling plays a crucial role in understanding the dynamics of malaria transmission and can provide valuable insights for designing effective control strategies. Malaria indeed faces significant challenges due to a changing climate, particularly in regions where the disease is endemic. This disease is significantly impacted by changes in climate, especially rising temperatures and fluctuating rainfall patterns. This study explores the influence of temperature and rainfall abundance on malaria transmission dynamics within the context of Burundi. We have constructed a deterministic model that integrates these climatic parameters into the dynamics of the human host-mosquito vector system. The model’s steady states and basic reproduction number, calculated using the next-generation method, reveal important insights. Numerical simulations demonstrate that both temperature and rainfall significantly influence mosquito population dynamics, leading to distinct effects on malaria transmission. Specifically, we observe that temperatures between 20˚C and 32˚C, along with rainfall ranging from 10 to 30 mm per month, create optimal conditions for mosquito development, thus driving malaria transmission in Burundi. Furthermore, our findings indicate a delayed relationship between rainfall and malaria cases. When rainfall peaks in a given month, malaria does not peak immediately but instead shows a lagged response. Similarly, when rainfall decreases, malaria incidence drops after a certain time lag. This same lagged effect is observed when comparing temperature with confirmed malaria cases in Burundi. These findings highlight the urgent need to consider climate factors in malaria control strategies.