Multiple routes transmitted epidemics on multiplex networks

•We studies multiple routes transmitted epidemic process on multiplex networks.•SIR model and bond percolation theory are used to analyze the epidemic processes.•We derive equations to accurately calculate the epidemic threshold and outbreak size.•ASN has no effect on the epidemic threshold and outbreak size.•Strong positive DDC leads to a lower epidemic threshold and a smaller outbreak size.

This letter investigates the multiple routes transmitted epidemic process on multiplex networks. We propose detailed theoretical analysis that allows us to accurately calculate the epidemic threshold and outbreak size. It is found that the epidemic can spread across the multiplex network even if all the network layers are well below their respective epidemic thresholds. Strong positive degree–degree correlation of nodes in multiplex network could lead to a much lower epidemic threshold and a relatively smaller outbreak size. However, the average similarity of neighbors from different layers of nodes has no obvious effect on the epidemic threshold and outbreak size.