Enhancing public health strategies for tungiasis: A mathematical approach with fractional derivative

<abstract> <p>In this study, we formulate a mathematical model in the framework of the Atangana-Baleanu fractional derivative in Caputo sense to study the transmission of tungiasis. In this formulation, interactions between the human host and the sand fleas are taken into consideration, including factors like infestation rate, incubation duration, and recovery rate. We calculate the basic reproduction parameter for the system, symbolized by $\mathcal{R}_0$ with the help of the next-generation matrix technique. A novel numerical scheme for encapsulating the non-local and memory-dependent aspects of the system is conceptualized via the Atangana-Baleanu fractional derivative. We prove the existence and uniqueness of the solution of the model of the infection and establish stability of the steady-states of the model. In addition to this, numerical simulations are carried out to evaluate the efficiency of interventions like campaigns for better sanitation and treatment, and to investigate the influence of various management techniques on the prevalence of tungiasis. The outcomes of the numerical simulations give us information about the possible efficacy of different control strategies in lowering the incidence of tungiasis. This research gives quantitative tools to enhance decision-making processes in public health treatments and advances our understanding of the dynamics of the tungiasis.</p> </abstract>