A comparison of agent-based models and equation based models for infectious disease epidemiology

Elizabeth Hunter; Brian MacNamee; John Kelleher

A comparison of agent-based models and equation based models for infectious disease epidemiology

Elizabeth Hunter
, Brian MacNamee
, John Kelleher

Dublin Institute of Technology
University College Dublin

Research output: Contribution to a Journal (Peer & Non Peer) › Conference article › peer-review

20 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

There are two main methods that are used to model the spread of an infectious disease: agent-based modelling and equation based modelling. In this paper, we compare the results from an example implementation of each method, and show that although the agent-based model takes longer to setup and run, it provides additional information that is not available when using an equation based model. Specifically, the ability of the agent-based model to capture heterogeneous mixing and agent interactions enables it to give a better overall view of an outbreak. We compare the performance of both models by simulating a measles outbreak in 33 different Irish towns and measuring the outcomes of this outbreak.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	33-44
Number of pages	12
Journal	CEUR Workshop Proceedings
Volume	2259
Publication status	Published - 2018
Externally published	Yes
Event	26th AIAI Irish Conference on Artificial Intelligence and Cognitive Science, AICS 2018 - Dublin, Ireland Duration: 6 Dec 2018 → 7 Dec 2018

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being

Keywords

Agent-based model
Equation-based model
Infectious disease

Cite this

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title = "A comparison of agent-based models and equation based models for infectious disease epidemiology",

abstract = "There are two main methods that are used to model the spread of an infectious disease: agent-based modelling and equation based modelling. In this paper, we compare the results from an example implementation of each method, and show that although the agent-based model takes longer to setup and run, it provides additional information that is not available when using an equation based model. Specifically, the ability of the agent-based model to capture heterogeneous mixing and agent interactions enables it to give a better overall view of an outbreak. We compare the performance of both models by simulating a measles outbreak in 33 different Irish towns and measuring the outcomes of this outbreak.",

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AU - MacNamee, Brian

AU - Kelleher, John

PY - 2018

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N2 - There are two main methods that are used to model the spread of an infectious disease: agent-based modelling and equation based modelling. In this paper, we compare the results from an example implementation of each method, and show that although the agent-based model takes longer to setup and run, it provides additional information that is not available when using an equation based model. Specifically, the ability of the agent-based model to capture heterogeneous mixing and agent interactions enables it to give a better overall view of an outbreak. We compare the performance of both models by simulating a measles outbreak in 33 different Irish towns and measuring the outcomes of this outbreak.

AB - There are two main methods that are used to model the spread of an infectious disease: agent-based modelling and equation based modelling. In this paper, we compare the results from an example implementation of each method, and show that although the agent-based model takes longer to setup and run, it provides additional information that is not available when using an equation based model. Specifically, the ability of the agent-based model to capture heterogeneous mixing and agent interactions enables it to give a better overall view of an outbreak. We compare the performance of both models by simulating a measles outbreak in 33 different Irish towns and measuring the outcomes of this outbreak.

KW - Agent-based model

KW - Equation-based model

KW - Infectious disease

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/85058237246

M3 - Conference article

AN - SCOPUS:85058237246

SN - 1613-0073

VL - 2259

SP - 33

EP - 44

JO - CEUR Workshop Proceedings

JF - CEUR Workshop Proceedings

T2 - 26th AIAI Irish Conference on Artificial Intelligence and Cognitive Science, AICS 2018

Y2 - 6 December 2018 through 7 December 2018

ER -

A comparison of agent-based models and equation based models for infectious disease epidemiology

Abstract

UN SDGs

Keywords

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