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Epidemiology modeling with Stella. CSCI 1210. Stochastic vs. deterministic. Suppose there are 1000 individuals and each one has a 30% chance of being infected: Stochastic method: run the model on the right 1000 times Deterministic method: 1000 * 30% = 300 get infected (Law of Mass Action).
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Epidemiology modeling with Stella CSCI 1210
Stochastic vs. deterministic • Suppose there are 1000 individuals and each one has a 30% chance of being infected: • Stochastic method: run the model on the right 1000 times • Deterministic method: 1000 * 30% = 300 get infected (Law of Mass Action)
Stella Stocks and Flows • A flow takes “stuff” out from a stock or puts stuff into a stock
Simple Epidemic Flow models • A short-term illness with recovery and permanent immunity
Simple Epidemic Flow Models • Short-term lethal illness with no recovery or immunity • Examples: “Martian flu”, measles in Incas • Note the flow into a sink outside the model
Simple Epidemic Flow Models • Short-term illness with recovery and temporary immunity • Example: malaria
Filling out the model • These are dynamic models • The value of each stock depends only on the initial value and the flows over time • The flows depend on the assumptions and state of the model – this is what determines how the model works
The Infection process • Simplest model: small population in which everyone is in contact • Each sick person has a certain constant probability of infecting each susceptible person in one time unit • Size of infection flow depends on the number of sick people and the number of susceptibles.
Modeling infection in Stella • The thin arrows represent influences. Note that all the influences affect the rate of infection. • We leave out incubation for simplicity: everyone is either susceptible or ill.
Qualitative analysis of infection • When there are few sick people, there can be little infection • When nearly everyone is sick, there can be little infection • Maximum infection will occur when the population is between these cases • Eventually, everyone will get sick.
A model with recovery and immunity • After recovery, people are neither susceptible nor ill • A certain fraction of ill people will recover each time period. • The rate of recoveries depends on the number of ill people.
Effect of immunization • Reduces the initial number of susceptibles • This reduces the infection rate, but does not alter the recovery rate • If the infection rate is small enough, the disease will die out without becoming an epidemic (herd immunity).
Notes on Herd immunity • Not necessary to vaccinate the entire population. • Even individuals who were not vaccinated share the benefits.
HIV • Human Immunodiciency Virus (HIV) • A retrovirus • Originated in Africa, probably in 20th century • Descended from simian virus (SIV) which “jumped hosts” • Long, contagious incubation period
From HIV to AIDS • Virus attacks human immune system • Death is from opportunistic secondary infections, not HIV itself • Anti-retroviral drugs can slow the virus and prolong life.
AIDS and Africa • 42 million HIV/AIDS cases worldwide • 29 million cases in Africa • Origin of the virus • Anarchy in central Africa (Uganda, Rwanda, Congo) helps spread the disease
AIDS: the “Gay Plague”? • Initially, US AIDS cases were almost all in gay men • However, African AIDS cases are mostly heterosexual • More US heterosexual AIDS cases as time has passed • What gives?
A two-tier model • High-risk group initially contracts the disease • Low-risk group does not have the disease • Slight interaction between groups • Two submodels proceed separately but have a weak coupling
AIDS and the “Martian Flu” • HIV/AIDS is incurable, fatal, and has no known immunity • However, US AIDS epidemic may have peaked • So, “Martian Flu” model needs elaboration
Elaborated AIDS model • Add birth and death flows for susceptibles who do not get infected • Either die naturally, retire from sex, or enter monogamous relationships • Creates a situation similar to “herd immunity” model