Multilayer SIS Model With an Infrastructure Network

In this article, we develop a layered networked spread model for a susceptible-infected-susceptible pathogen-borne disease spreading over a human contact network and an infrastructure network, and refer to it as a layered networked susceptible-infected-water-susceptible model (SIWS). The “W” in SIWS represents any infrastructure network contamination, not necessarily restricted to a water distribution network. We identify sufficient conditions for the existence, uniqueness, and stability of various equilibria of the aforementioned model. Further, we study an observability problem, where, assuming that the measurements of the pathogen levels in the infrastructure network are available, we provide a necessary and sufficient condition for estimation of the sickness levels of the nodes in the human contact network. Our results are illustrated through an in-depth set of simulations.