Hybrid PDE-ODE Models for Efficient Simulation of Infection Spread in Epidemiology

Abstract

This paper introduces a novel hybrid mathematical modeling approach that effectively couples Partial Differential Equations (PDEs) with Ordinary Differential Equations (ODEs), exemplified through the simulation of epidemiological processes. The hybrid model aims to integrate the spatially detailed representation of disease dynamics provided by PDEs with the computational efficiency of ODEs. In the presented epidemiological use-case, this integration allows for the rapid assessment of public health interventions and the potential impact of infectious diseases across large populations. We discuss the theoretical formulation of the hybrid PDE-ODE model, including the governing equations and boundary conditions. The model's capabilities are demonstrated through detailed simulations of disease spread in synthetic environments and real-world scenarios, specifically focusing on the regions of Lombardy, Italy, and Berlin, Germany. Results indicate that the hybrid model achieves a balance between computational speed and accuracy, making it a valuable tool for policymakers in real-time decision-making and scenario analysis in epidemiology and potentially in other fields requiring similar modeling approaches.