Localization and spreading of diseases in complex networks

Phys Rev Lett. 2012 Sep 21;109(12):128702. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.109.128702. Epub 2012 Sep 19.

Abstract

Using the susceptible-infected-susceptible model on unweighted and weighted networks, we consider the disease localization phenomenon. In contrast to the well-recognized point of view that diseases infect a finite fraction of vertices right above the epidemic threshold, we show that diseases can be localized on a finite number of vertices, where hubs and edges with large weights are centers of localization. Our results follow from the analysis of standard models of networks and empirical data for real-world networks.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Disease Transmission, Infectious*
  • Epidemics
  • Epidemiologic Methods
  • Models, Biological*