Abstract:
Objective To predict the epidemic trend and evaluate the theoretical effect of the case isolation and emergent vaccination in a varicella outbreak control with a discrete time delay SEIR model. Methods The model was discretized on a SEIR continuous model. The time delay effects of latent period and infectious period were took into account as well. The theoretical number of cases could be obtained and theoretical effect of the control measures could be evaluated by the model. Results Without any control measures, the theoretical attack rate was 30.58% (434/1 419). The outbreak lasted 3 months and the peak epidemic time was 60 days after the onset of the first case. Generation phenomenon was observed with the interval of two weeks. With the isolation of all cases on day 0, 14, 28 and 42 after the onset of the first case, the theoretical number of cases were 5, 13, 34 and 78, respectively. With case isolation on day 14 after the onset of the first case and the case isolation rates of 30%, 50%, 70% and 90%, the theoretical number of cases were 370, 323, 230 and 52, respectively. With the emergent vaccination for all persons on day 0, 14, 28, 42 after the onset of the first case, the theoretical number of cases were 5, 14, 37 and 84, respectively. With the emergent vaccination on 14 days after the onset of the first case and the coverage rates of 30%, 50%, 70% and 90%, the theoretical number of cases were 262, 150, 52 and 19, respectively. The actual cases number of the varicella outbreak was 118, and the actual case isolation rate was 82.20%. With the case isolation on day 30 after the onset of the first case and the case isolation rate of 82.20%, the theoretical number of cases was 148, 30 cases more than actual case number. Conclusion The discrete time delay SEIR model can be used to predict varicella epidemic trend, and evaluate the theoretical effect of the control measures in varicella outbreak. Both case isolation and emergent vaccination with high coverage rate in the early stage of a varicella outbreak are effective for ending the outbreak.