Effects of the self-awareness on epidemic spreading on multiplex networks

Abstract

We study the effects of the awareness of the individuals on the spreading dynamics of epidemics from the aspect of resource allocation on multiplex networks in this paper. A self-awareness-based resource allocation model and a resource based susceptible-infected-susceptible epidemic model are proposed, respectively. By conducting extensive Monte Carlo simulations on networks with both random correlation and inter-layer degree correlation, we find that the self-awareness of individuals has double-sword effect on the spread of disease. Specifically, there is a critical value of the basic infection rate, when the infection rate is below the critical value, the self-awareness of individuals promotes the spread of disease. While, when the infection rate exceeds the critical value, the self-awareness of individuals inhabits the spread of disease. In addition, we study the effects of inter-layer degree correlation on the coupled dynamics of resource allocation and disease spreading, we find that the disease can be suppressed more and more effectively when the correlation coefficient increases from most negative to most positive. The results in this paper will provide a constructive viewpoint for policymakers of public health.