Newswise — Scientists involved in the National Institutes of Health's Models of Infectious Disease Agent Study (MIDAS) are developing computational tools to study the emergence, spread and containment of contagious outbreaks, including H1N1.
The MIDAS researchers are currently applying their earlier work on modeling pandemic flu to understand the origin, infectiousness and likely spread of the 2009 H1N1 virus. They also are simulating the spread of MRSA, drug resistance and seasonal infectious diseases. Their efforts will help advance the field of disease modeling by improving techniques and incorporating knowledge about human behavior.
While models can't forecast exactly what will happen, they do let researchers, health officials and policymakers evaluate different possible intervention strategies, aiding the development and implementation of control measures both before and during an outbreak.
For more information about MIDAS, visit http://www.nigms.nih.gov/Initiatives/MIDAS. For details about a current MIDAS swine flu project, see http://publications.nigms.nih.gov/computinglife/facebook_swineflu.htm.
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