Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Identifiability is the property in mathematical modelling that determines if model parameters can be uniquely estimated. For infectious disease models, failure to ensure identifiability can lead to misleading parameter estimates and unreliable policy recommendations. We examine the identifiability of a modified Susceptible-Infectious-Recovered (SIR) model that accounts for under-reporting and pre-existing immunity in the population. We provide a mathematical proof of the structural unidentifiability of the deterministic model of jointly estimating three parameters: the fraction under-reporting, the proportion of the population with prior immunity, and the community transmission rate, when only reported case data are available. We then show, analytically and with a simulation study using a stochastic model, that the identifiability of all three parameters is achieved if the reported incidence is complemented with sample survey data of prior immunity or prevalence during the outbreak. Our results show the limitations of parameter inference in partially observed epidemics and the importance of identifiability analysis when developing and applying models for public health decision making.
Source: Bulletin of Mathematical Biology
Authors: Fanny Bergström, Martina Favero, Tom Britton
Institution: Stockholm University
Language: English
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $3,090
Awards: G2950547781, G3141778957
OpenAlex ID: W4417135995