Nonparametric Inference Framework for Time-dependent Epidemic Models

Fuente: arXiv
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Main Authors: Luu, Son, Susko, Edward, Ho, Lam Si Tung
Format: Preprint
Published: 2024
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author Luu, Son
Susko, Edward
Ho, Lam Si Tung
author_facet Luu, Son
Susko, Edward
Ho, Lam Si Tung
contents Compartmental models, especially the Susceptible-Infected-Removed (SIR) model, have long been used to understand the behaviour of various diseases. Allowing parameters, such as the transmission rate, to be time-dependent functions makes it possible to adjust for and make inferences about changes in the process due to mitigation strategies or evolutionary changes of the infectious agent. In this article, we attempt to build a nonparametric inference framework for stochastic SIR models with time dependent infection rate. The framework includes three main steps: likelihood approximation, parameter estimation and confidence interval construction. The likelihood function of the stochastic SIR model, which is often intractable, can be approximated using methods such as diffusion approximation or tau leaping. The infection rate is modelled by a B-spline basis whose knot location and number of knots are determined by a fast knot placement method followed by a criterion-based model selection procedure. Finally, a point-wise confidence interval is built using a parametric bootstrap procedure. The performance of the framework is observed through various settings for different epidemic patterns. The model is then applied to the Ontario COVID-19 data across multiple waves.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2409_17968
institution arXiv
publishDate 2024
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Nonparametric Inference Framework for Time-dependent Epidemic Models
Luu, Son
Susko, Edward
Ho, Lam Si Tung
Methodology
Compartmental models, especially the Susceptible-Infected-Removed (SIR) model, have long been used to understand the behaviour of various diseases. Allowing parameters, such as the transmission rate, to be time-dependent functions makes it possible to adjust for and make inferences about changes in the process due to mitigation strategies or evolutionary changes of the infectious agent. In this article, we attempt to build a nonparametric inference framework for stochastic SIR models with time dependent infection rate. The framework includes three main steps: likelihood approximation, parameter estimation and confidence interval construction. The likelihood function of the stochastic SIR model, which is often intractable, can be approximated using methods such as diffusion approximation or tau leaping. The infection rate is modelled by a B-spline basis whose knot location and number of knots are determined by a fast knot placement method followed by a criterion-based model selection procedure. Finally, a point-wise confidence interval is built using a parametric bootstrap procedure. The performance of the framework is observed through various settings for different epidemic patterns. The model is then applied to the Ontario COVID-19 data across multiple waves.
title Nonparametric Inference Framework for Time-dependent Epidemic Models
topic Methodology
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2409.17968