Optimal Control of Hepatitis B in a sub-Saharan African rural area.

In this paper, we ameliorate the model proposed in [13], by incorporating the influence of hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) status of mothers on vertical transmission. We use the improved model to fit reported HBV new infections in the Zhejiang Province of China. Also to predict the course of the Hepatitis B (HBV) infection in this Chinese area, and in Tokombere, located in sub-Saharan Africa(SSA). Furthermore, we apply optimal control techniques in view to re-examine the effects of the newborn vaccination, the universal vaccination and the treatment of chronic carriers in preventing the HBV infection. Simulation results show that treatment slightly steps in the optimal strategy, while immunisation is an effective measure. On the other hand, they indicate that the control measures and immunization programs implemented in Zhejiang Province are effective. Besides, they suggest that in SSA, a package of several policies centred on birth dose vaccination should be implemented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]