Agent-based simulation for weekend-extension strategies to mitigate influenza outbreaks.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Non-pharmaceutical strategies are vital in curtailing impacts of influenza and have been intensively studied in public health. However, few strategies have explicitly utilized the weekend effect, which has been widely reported to be capable of reducing influenza infections. This study aims to explore six weekend-extension strategies against seasonal and pandemic flu outbreaks.

Methods

The weekend-extension strategies were designed to extend regular two-day weekend by one, two and three days, respectively, and in combination with either a continuous or discontinuous pattern. Their effectiveness was evaluated using an established agent-based spatially explicit simulation model in the urbanized area of Buffalo, NY, US.

Results

If the extensions last more than

SUBMITTER: Mao L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3146865 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature