Optimal control for an age-structured model for the transmission of hepatitis B (Q304041)

In this work the authors introduce an age-structured model for the transmission of hepatitis B with differential infectivity (symptomatic and asymptomatic infections). From the mathematical point of view, they study the dynamics with a semigroup approach and prove the existence of the disease-free and disease-endemic equilibrium of the model in terms of the basic reproduction number, as well as their stability. In addition, an optimal control problem, based on three possible interventions and corresponding to a minimization of deaths and costs, is solved. Finally, a discussion of the results -- complemented with numerical simulations -- in terms of applications of the different interventions is provided.