A Dynamic Model for Elevator Operation-induced Spread of a Respiratory Infectious Disease in an Apartment Building

Overview

Journal Heliyon

Specialty Social Sciences

Date 2023 Mar 6

PMID 36873541

Authors

Zuiyuan Guo

Guangquan Xiao

Jianhong Du

Wei Cui

Bing Li

Dan Xiao

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Residents have to use elevators to leave and enter their high-rise apartments frequently. An elevator car can easily spread respiratory infectious diseases, as it has a confined and small space. Therefore, studying how elevator operations promote epidemic transmission is of importance to public health. We developed an infectious disease dynamics model. First, we used homemade codes to simulate the operating state of an elevator and the dynamic process of infectious disease transmission in an apartment building due to elevator operations. Second, we analysed the temporal distribution patterns of infected individuals and patients. Finally, we validated the reliability of the model by performing continuous-time sensitivity analysis on important model parameters. We found that elevator operations can cause rapid spread of infectious diseases within an apartment building. Therefore, it is necessary to enhance elevator ventilation and disinfection mechanisms to prevent the outbreak of respiratory infections. Moreover, residents should reduce elevator use and wear masks.

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