Mathematical Modelling of Avian Malaria in Hawaiian Honeycreepers

Avian malaria is a mosquito-borne parasitic disease of birds caused by protists of the genera Plasmodium. This disease has been identified as a primary cause of the drastic decline and extinctions of endemic birds on Pacific Islands. In this work, I formulate a mathematical model of the transmission dynamics of avian malaria between a generic bird species and mosquito using a system of ordinary differential equations (ODEs). I then derive measures which can determine whether the disease can invade bird populations. I will discuss strategies for minimizing the impact of avian malaria in two scenarios: disease-free populations which may be invaded by avian malaria and populations where this disease is enzootic but where bird species have not developed resistance or tolerance.