Dynamical behavior of a higher order stochastically perturbed SIRI epidemic model with relapse and media coverage.

• A higher order stochastically perturbed SIRI epidemic model with relapse and media coverage is studied. • We get sufficient criteria for the existence and uniqueness of an ergodic stationary distribution. • We make up adequate conditions for complete eradication and wiping out of the infectious disease. • The existence of a stationary distribution implies that the disease will prevail and persist in the long term. This paper is intended to explore a higher order stochastically perturbed SIRI epidemic model with relapse and media coverage. Firstly, we derive sufficient criteria for the existence and uniqueness of an ergodic stationary distribution of positive solutions to the system by establishing a suitable stochastic Lyapunov function. Then we obtain adequate conditions for complete eradication and wiping out of the infectious disease. In a biological interpretation, the existence of a stationary distribution implies that the disease will prevail and persist in the long term. Finally, the theoretical results are illustrated by computer simulations, including two examples based on real-life disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]