We propose a theoretical framework for the study of epidemics in structured
metapopulations, with heterogeneous agents, subjected to recurrent mobility
patterns. We propose to represent the heterogeneity in the composition of the
metapopulations as layers in a multiplex network, where nodes would correspond
to geographical areas and layers account for the mobility patterns of agents of
the same class. We analyze both the classical Susceptible-Infected-Susceptible
and the Susceptible-Infected-Removed epidemic models within this framework, and
compare macroscopic and microscopic indicators of the spreading process with
extensive Monte Carlo simulations. Our results are in excellent agreement with
the simulations. We also derive an exact expression of the epidemic threshold
on this general framework revealing a non-trivial dependence on the mobility
parameter. Finally, we use this new formalism to address the spread of diseases
in real cities, specifically in the city of Medellin, Colombia, whose
population is divided into six socio-economic classes, each one identified with
a layer in this multiplex formalism.Comment: 13 pages, 11 figure
