Coupled effects of local movement and global interaction on contagion

By incorporating segregated spatial domain and individual-based linkage into the SIS (susceptible–infected–susceptible) model, we propose a generalized epidemic model which can change from the territorial epidemic model to the networked epidemic model. The role of the individual-based linkage between different spatial domains is investigated. As we adjust the timescale parameter [Formula: see text] from 0 to unity, which represents the degree of activation of the individual-based linkage, three regions are found. Within the region of [Formula: see text] , the epidemic is determined by local movement and is sensitive to the timescale [Formula: see text]. Within the region of [Formula: see text] , the epidemic is insensitive to the timescale [Formula: see text]. Within the region of [Formula: see text] , the outbreak of the epidemic is determined by the structure of the individual-based linkage. As we keep an eye on the first region, the role of activating the individual-based linkage in the present model is similar to the role of the shortcuts in the two-dimensional small world network. Only activating a small number of the individual-based linkage can prompt the outbreak of the epidemic globally. The role of narrowing segregated spatial domain and reducing mobility in epidemic control is checked. These two measures are found to be conducive to curbing the spread of infectious disease only when the global interaction is suppressed. A log–log relation between the change in the number of infected individuals and the timescale [Formula: see text] is found. By calculating the epidemic threshold and the mean first encounter time, we heuristically analyze the microscopic characteristics of the propagation of the epidemic in the present model.