10 October 2024
by Emma Emmerton

Challenges in Modelling Infectious Disease Outbreaks

Challenges in modelling infectious disease outbreaks - A seminar by Professor Ian Hall, OBE

Abstract

Infectious diseases cause a large amount of illness and death each year. Disease surveillance provides data for us to fit mathematical models to attempt to explain transmission patterns.  Past events (with examples including from plague, pandemic influenza, smallpox eradication, COVID-19) can tell us about future outbreaks.  Models can be complex and there may not be sufficient data to calibrate and so we must often simplify to gain understanding and to offer pragmatic advice.  Certain sectors are particularly vulnerable (either due to personal disease impacts - such as elderly residents in care homes being at risk of death - or due to critical infrastructure - such as nuclear power stations) and operational work focussing on these sectors will be discussed.

Joining

Doors: 7.00pm for a 7.30pm start Tea, coffee, and biscuits will be served Booking is not needed This is a jointly run event in partnership with the Institute of Physics London and South East Branch.