Epidemic Spreading in Interdependent Networks

We introduce a dynamic process of epidemic spreading into interdependent networks because, in reality, interdependent networks are facing the threat of epidemic spreading, which still lacks research. With our model, we reveal that (i) interdependent networks are more fragile than an isolated single network when facing the threat of an epidemic; (ii) an epidemic is not massively blocked by cascading failure, even if cascading failure spreads much faster; (iii) interdependent networks are more fragile, with a larger value of average degree compared with epidemic spreading. Moreover, we propose an iterative method for estimating the fraction of removed or failed nodes in a system of interdependent networks using percolation theory. This research can improve the comprehension of interdependent networks from the point of view of epidemic spreading.