Analysis of Epidemic Spreading With Opinion Evolution in Multiplex Network

In this brief, dynamical aspects of a coupled epidemic-opinion dynamical model are studied, in that the disease spreading network model namely Susceptible-Exposed-Infected-Vigilant (SEIV) compartmental model is employed over a physical transmission network, while the opinion evolution model is employed over a social network. In particular, the opinion evolution captures how severe the disease is perceived to be for communities. Through rigorous analysis, it has been shown that if the opinion-dependent basic reproduction rate (R-0) is less than unity, then the epidemic reaches disease free state, while if it is greater than unity, the disease free state is unstable. Also, sufficient condition for endemic state of the disease, where the disease persists in the network is obtained. The theoretical findings are corroborated by the simulation results.