A simple and intuitive method to calculate $R_0$ in complex epidemic models

Abstract

Epidemic models are a valuable tool in the decision making process. Once a mathematical model for an epidemics has been established, the very next step is calculating a mathematical expression for the basic reproductive number, $R_0$, which is the average number of infections caused by an individual that is introduced in a population of susceptibles. Finding a mathematical expression for $R_0$ is important because it allows to analyze the effect of the different parameters in the model on $R_0$ so that we can act on them to keep $R_0 < 1$, so that the epidemic fades out. In this work we show how to calculate $R_0$ in complicated epidemic models by using only basic concepts of Markov chains.