This book will provide public health and infectious disease researchers with the tools to use and critically evaluate the mathematical models that are increasingly being used to interpret and predict the dynamics and control of infectious diseases.
This book has grown out of the experience of the authors teaching such a course for several years at the London School of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. The Contents are very comprehensive, with chapters on basic terminology concerning infections and transmission, models based on difference equations, models based on differential equations, basic output from models, age patterns, stochastic modelling, contact patterns, models for sexually transmitted infections, some special topics (varicella vaccination and boosting, serotype replacement, tuberculosis control, HIV/STI co-infection) and an appendix on mathematical matters. The basic ideas are illustrated by many examples and case studies, among which several related to very up to date research and references. All relevant keywords and modern catchwords related to infectious disease modelling are mentioned and explained.