The dynamic coupling mechanism of information and epidemic propagations considering individual mobility in two-layer network framework (Q6143060)

The authors use empirical data analysis from Shanghai, China, to find that information diffusion is co-evolving with epidemic spread, and vice versa. To identify the coupling mechanism of epidemic spread and information diffusion and the influencing factors on epidemic spread, a two-layer network framework using dynamic equations is presented to study the coupling mechanism of information diffusion and epidemic spread. Using both theoretical and numerical methods, the authors find that epidemic spread might be influenced by the epidemic itself and individual mobility indicated by mobility frequency and range to a certain extent from the micro perspective. The effect of individual mobility on the speed of epidemic spread is influenced by the distribution of the epidemic network. From the macro perspective, it is revealed that promoting information diffusion in social networks may be able to reduce the epidemic spread scales effectively by calculating the epidemic threshold and comparing with Monte Carlo (MC) simulation experiments. Finally, the authors find that the strength of disease control due to interventions by the government or social organizations is also a key factor to decrease epidemic spread.