  In this study we present a dynamical agent-based model to investigate the
interplay between the socio-economy of and SEIRS-type epidemic spreading over a
geographical area, divided to smaller area districts and further to smallest
area cells. The model treats the populations of cells and authorities of
districts as agents, such that the former can reduce their economic activity
and the latter can recommend economic activity reduction both with the overall
goal to slow down the epidemic spreading. The agents make decisions with the
aim of attaining as high socio-economic standings as possible relative to other
agents of the same type by evaluating their standings based on the local and
regional infection rates, compliance to the authorities' regulations, regional
drops in economic activity, and efforts to mitigate the spread of epidemic. We
find that the willingness of population to comply with authorities'
recommendations has the most drastic effect on the epidemic spreading: periodic
waves spread almost unimpeded in non-compliant populations, while in compliant
ones the spread is minimal with chaotic spreading pattern and significantly
lower infection rates. Health and economic concerns of agents turn out to have
lesser roles, the former increasing their efforts and the latter decreasing
them.
