An Agent-Based Model to Study the Spread and Control of Epidemics

The world continues to face outbreaks of disease due to natural causes as well as the threat of biological warfare. Mathematical modeling provides an avenue by which to predict and ultimately prevent widespread outbreaks. A wide variety of modeling tools have been used in the study of the spread of diseases, including Ordinary Differential Equations, Partial Differential Equations, and Difference Equations. In this study, an agent-based model is used to study the spread and control of epidemics and is based on Sirakoulis, et al. [1]. The computer program NetLogo [2] is used for simulation. The development and set-up procedures for this model are fully discussed. The model is used to study the effectiveness of vaccination and quarantine as methods of epidemic control. It is determined that the most effective means of controlling an epidemic is to quarantine individuals with symptoms. In addition, the effect of the adjacent contact coefficient in the model is examined and further development and uses of the model are discussed.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Mathematical Sciences

Year dc:date.available

2008

Author dc:creator

• Fuller, Ashley Dawn

Contributors dc:contributor

• Dr. David M. Chan

• epidemics
• agent-based model
• vaccination
• quarantine
• disease
• Physical Sciences and Mathematics

Statement dc:rights

• © The Author

Identifier

https://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/etd/931

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:scholarscompass.vcu.edu:etd-1930