We propose a new way to model HIV infection spreading through the use of dynamic complex networks. The heterogeneous population of HIV exposure groups is described through a unique network degree probability distribution. The time evolution of the network nodes is modelled by a Markov process and gives insight in HIV disease progression. The results are validated against historical data of AIDS cases in the USA as recorded by the Center of Disease Control. We find a remarkably good correspondence between the number of simulated and registered HIV cases, indicating that our approach to modelling the dynamics of HIV spreading through a sexual network is a valid approach that opens up completely new ways of reasoning about various medication scenarios.
With the exponential growth in the world population and the constant increase in human mobility, the danger of outbreaks of epidemics is raising. Especially in high density urban areas such as public transport and transfer points, where people come in close proximity of each other, we observe a dramatic increase in the transmission of airborne viruses and related pathogens. It is essential to have a good understanding of the 'transmission highways' in such areas, in order to prevent or to predict the spreading of infectious diseases. The approach we take is to combine as much information as is possible, from all relevant sources and integrate this in a simulation environment that allows for scenario testing and decision support. In this paper we lay out a novel approach to study Urban Airborne Disease spreading by combining traffic information, with geo-spatial data, infection dynamics and spreading characteristics.
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