An agent-based model of a cutaneous leishmaniasis reservoir host, Meriones shawi

Meriones shawi (M.shawi) is the main reservoir host for zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ZCL) in Central Tunisia. The incorporation of environmental and climatic effects on spread ZCL M. remains difficult. This study presents an agent-based model (ABM) to overcome these difficulties examine impact environment (i.e. vegetation cover) climate temperature) movement prevalence. simulation considers two agent types: rodent field unit agent. We tested according types movement: random thoughtful. integrated time dependent normalized difference index (NDVI) order test land cover transmission. results confirmed that disease depends movement. observed prevalence distribution are closest data when highest rodents go thoughtful In addition, we found nature (random or thoughtful) strongly minimum food detection.