Dynamical behavior of a fractional-order epidemic model for investigating two fear effect functions

Abstract

Using the Caputo operator, a model for a fractional-order epidemic is developed to investigate the fear effect in a pathogenic environment and vaccination procedure. First, we examine if the proposed model is positive. Next, based on the value of the control reproduction number $R_c$, we compute both the control reproduction and strength numbers and derive the stability criteria of the disease-free equilibrium. In fact, we use the comparison theorem to show that the disease-free equilibrium point is globally asymptotically stable whenever $R_c<1$. Next, we prove that the solutions of the fractional model exist and are unique. Finally, several numerical simulations are conducted to verify our theoretical results.