Abstract

Cystic echinococcosis is a parasitic zoonosis endemic to Chile, involving a complex biological cycle between dogs, sheep, and humans; this study introduces a deterministic mathematical model to analyze the transmission and spread of the disease among these three groups. A sensitivity analysis of the basic reproduction number was performed using elasticity indices to quantify the impact of key parameters. The analysis revealed that the disease exit rate of infected dogs and the transmission rates between dogs and sheep are the most influential parameters affecting the basic reproduction number; these findings suggest that targeted measures, such as increasing the frequency of canine deworming and promoting campaigns to reduce transmission, could significantly mitigate the spread of cystic echinococcosis. The elasticity-based approach provides a framework for prioritizing intervention strategies and optimizing control efforts. © Published under licence by IOP Publishing Ltd.