Global dynamics of a multi-group epidemic model with general exposed distribution and relapse (Q2341651)

This paper studies an SIR epidemic model by considering a general exposed distribution function for the length of the latent period and the possibility of relapse. A nonlinear incidence function describing the disease spreading in a heterogeneous host population is also studied. Some regularity assumptions are imposed on (i) the probability that an exposed individual remains in the exposed state some time units after entering this state, and (ii) the incidence function. Based on graph theory, Lyapunov functionals, and the persistence theory in dynamical systems, the authors investigate the global asymptotic stability of equilibria for \(R_0\leq1\) and \(R_0>1\). Here, \(R_0\), the basic reproduction number, is defined as the spectral radius of the next generation matrix according to the multi-group nature of the model. Specifically, if the threshold parameter \(R_0\leq1\), the disease will die out; if \(R_0>1\), the disease persists in all groups.