Abstract
We study by analytical methods and large scale simulations a dynamical model for the spreading of epidemics in complex networks. in networks with exponentially bounded connectivity we recover the usual epidemic behavior with a threshold defining a critical point below that the infection prevalence is null. On the contrary, on a wide range of scale-free networks we observe the absence of an epidemic threshold and its associated critical behavior. This implies that scale-free networks are prone to the spreading and the persistence of infections whatever spreading rate the epidemic agents might possess. These results can help understanding. computer virus epidemics and other spreading phenomena on communication and social networks.
Keywords
complex networks, epidemics, containment, endemic states, dynamical models, scale-free networks
Subject Categories
Computer viruses, Computer networks
Disciplines
Physics
Publisher
American Physical Society
Publication Date
6-1-2001
Rights Information
©2001 American Physical Society
Rights Holder
American Physical Society
Permanent URL
Recommended Citation
Pastor-Satorras, R and Vespignani, A, "Epidemic dynamics and endemic states in complex networks" (2001). Physics Faculty Publications. Paper 199. http://hdl.handle.net/2047/d20002159
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Notes
Originally published in Physical Review E, v.63 no.6 (2001), 66117. DOI:10.1103/PhysRevE.63.066117. Dr. Vespignani is affiliated with Northeastern University as of the time of deposit.