The Math of Swine Flu: Epidemiological Methods and Models for Management of the 2009 H1N1 Pandemic
Academic Level at Time of Presentation
Junior
Major
Biomedical Sciences
Minor
Mathematical Biology, Chemistry
List all Project Mentors & Advisor(s)
Dr. Maeve McCarthy
Presentation Format
Oral Presentation
Abstract/Description
In 2009, H1N1 scared the nation when the swine flu pandemic occurred. From the disease biology to the transmission mechanisms, H1N1 put the Center for Disease Control’s outbreak plan to the test. A vital step in this process was defining the disease mathematically so that response efforts could be optimized. Epidemiological models helped define how quickly the disease could spread, the potential for recovery, the most critical locations for vaccination, and the best ways to stay healthy without access to the vaccination. Mathematics are a powerful tool in biomedical applications, and its usefulness in the 2009 H1N1 pandemic was immeasurable.
Spring Scholars Week 2019 Event
Projects in Biomathematics
The Math of Swine Flu: Epidemiological Methods and Models for Management of the 2009 H1N1 Pandemic
In 2009, H1N1 scared the nation when the swine flu pandemic occurred. From the disease biology to the transmission mechanisms, H1N1 put the Center for Disease Control’s outbreak plan to the test. A vital step in this process was defining the disease mathematically so that response efforts could be optimized. Epidemiological models helped define how quickly the disease could spread, the potential for recovery, the most critical locations for vaccination, and the best ways to stay healthy without access to the vaccination. Mathematics are a powerful tool in biomedical applications, and its usefulness in the 2009 H1N1 pandemic was immeasurable.