The influence of the choice of the cost index on the effectiveness of optimal resources allocation strategies for Hepatitis B Virus treatment

The hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection represents a global health problem; it can be transmitted through contact with infected blood or other body fluids and it is dangerous being highly contagious. Hepatitis B is preventable with effective vaccine, as it is strongly recommended by the World Health Organization; its protection is possibly life-long, at least 20 years. Mathematical modelling is a useful tool to study the evolution of an epidemic spread and possibly to suggest suitable control strategies, aiming at the best resource allocation while satisfying the obvious limitations, both from economics and practical points of view. In this paper, a recently proposed model describing the HBV infection is adopted and optimal control strategies are discussed; it is enhanced the dependence of the result on the preliminary choice of the cost index, suggesting a rationale in the determination of the weights of the elements to be minimized.