Abstract:

In the publications available in the literature concerning the development of epidemics of foodborne diseases, the problem of modeling such an epidemic is increasingly considered [1], [2], [3], [4]. Scientific works in this area are known in the literature from the basic monograph [5] to the interesting up-to-date monographs [6] and [7].

One of the problems that occur in the processes of supporting anti-epidemic activities is the problem of determining the control strategy for facilities related to the production and distribution of food. Primary information relating to such objects is collected in the process of interviews with people who fell ill during the epidemic. Objects are therefore isolated and must be subject to the control process. During the inspection, tests are carried out to find food contaminated with a pathogen characteristic of the ongoing epidemic. Facility inspections should be carried out as soon as possible. The number of sanitary inspectors who can carry out this type of inspection is always limited. At the same time, the optimal strategy for anti-epidemic activities is sought. Hence, the problem of determining the optimal schedule for such inspections arises. Problems of this type, included in optimization methods, are related to models and methods of scheduling tasks [8], [9], [10], developed for use in specific cases [11].