Epidemic Modelling Using Cellular Automata

This paper presents some of the results of our cellular automaton (CA) based epidemic model. Of particular interest is how a CA can produce patterns of spread dependent on geographical conditions. The model described here, although unvalidated, produces patterns of emergent behaviour which intuitively mimics what we observe in nature. This leads into the possibility of using CA-based simulations for ‘what if?’ game playing and hence improve our understanding, analysis, prediction, and possible containment of epidemic spread that is influenced by geographical factors.

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