Researchers Model How Disease Could Spread via US Airports

Existing computerized infectious-disease models typically focus on locations likely to develop the highest infection rates. New models by MIT researchers look at how the 40 largest US airports could influence the spread of a contagious disease originating in their home cities during the early stages of its expansion. They say this could help determine appropriate measures for containment and assist public health officials in decision-making early in the process. The MIT model used techniques such as Monte Carlo simulations. The researchers published their work in the journal PLoS ONE. (PhysOrg)(MIT News Office)(PLoS ONE)