Analysis of a SIRI epidemic model with distributed delay and relapse

Abstract

We investigate the global behaviour of a SIRI epidemic model with distributed delay and relapse. From the theory of functional differential equations with delay, we prove that the solution of the system is unique, bounded, and positive, for all time. The basic reproduction number $R_{0}$ for the model is computed. By means of the direct Lyapunov method and LaSalle invariance principle, we prove that the disease free equilibrium is globally asymptotically stable when $R_{0} < 1$. Moreover, we show that there is a unique endemic equilibrium, which is globally asymptotically stable, when $R_{0} > 1$.