victorodoh/Agent-based-Modeling-of-Lassa-Virus-Transmission-Using-Netlogo

The model simulates Lassa Virus transmission in West Africa, estimating imminent attack sizes based on input parameters. It analyzes the impact of community hygiene and social distancing on transmission rates, serving as a research aid for epidemiologists and health organisations. # AGENT-BASED MODELLING OF LASSA VIRUS TRANSMISSION USING NETLOGO This model simulates Lassa Virus Transmission, an endemic predominantly in the western region of Africa. It is able to estimate the size of imminent attacks at any time based on some input parameters. It can be used to analyze the degree of impact of community hygiene and social distancing on the virus transmission rate over time, and can serve as a research aid tool for epidemiologists or health organisations. ## HOW TO RUN THE MODEL: 1. Via Netlogo Modelling Commons: - GoTo Netlogo Modelling Commons - Click the "Run in Netlogo Web" tab to open the window, then click anywhere within this window to run model. 2. Via Netlog Desktop: - Download and install Netlogo for Mac/windows/Linux : Download Link - Download the `Lassa Fever Transmission.nlogo` file of this repo - Open the `.nlogo` downloaded file in the Netlogo app to launch interface for simulation. ## HOW IT WORKS: THE INTERFACE (Desktop Version) Interface includes sets of parameters in the form of sliders which users can use to adjust the inputs based on the requirements of their experiment. - Initialize Simulation; It is configured as a “once-only” button to setup or initialize the simulation. Clicking this button activates the “setup” command procedure, a block of codes written in the code tab. - Run/Pause Simulation; This is configured as a “forever” button. Clicking this button activates the “go” command procedure in the code tab which then runs / pauses the simulation. ## HOW TO USE THE MODEL: - Human_Population: This slider can be used by a user to select a variable number of human agents to be populated into the world (Graphics window). Since at least two persons are required for a viral transmission to occur, the minimum number for the slider was set to “2”. After selecting the desired number of human agents, clicking the Initialize Simulation button will reset the simulation and reflect the set number of human agents all …