MATHEMATICALLY MODELING THE TRANSMISSION OF KOI HERPESVIRUS IN COMMON CARP

Payton Bivens, Eckerd College, Marine Science Discipline

Kelsey Weeden, Eckerd College, Marine Science Discipline

Lindsey Fox, Asst. Professor of Mathematics, Eckerd College

Koi herpesvirus (KHV) is an extremely contagious virus that affects common carp. The virus is transmitted through direct contact with infected fish, contaminated fluids, or other contaminated vectors. In this study, we constructed an epidemiological model that uses a system of ordinary differential equations to describe the transmission dynamics of KHV. Classes include susceptible, exposed, infectious, ailing, and recovered. Some parameters of the model fluctuate with water temperature: the rate of progression through the exposed and infected compartments. Between five degrees celsius and twenty-eight degrees celsius, these progression rates are the highest corresponding to when the virus is active. We also study the effects of harvesting from an ornamental fishery in which KHV is present. We seek to find the optimal harvesting rate to maximize revenue while also minimizing the number of cases.

Final Poster sp '23 (3).pdf