STEM

STEM models spatial and temporal dynamics of infectious diseases to support epidemiological analysis and outbreak investigation in human and animal populations.

Key Features:

• Modular framework: Supports integration and exchange of community-developed models and reusable plug-in components.
• Denominator data integration: Incorporates denominator data for accurate epidemiological calculations.
• Spatial and temporal modeling: Enables construction of models that represent both spatial distribution and temporal progression of disease processes.
• Air-travel modeling feature: Includes an air travel component to represent disease spread via passenger movement.
• Multistrain pathogen dynamics: Supports multistrain models including mosquito vectors, cross-strain immunity, and antibody response components.
• Modeling of behavioral changes and animal reservoirs: Provides capability to represent behavioral change effects and disease reintroduction via animal reservoirs.

Scientific Applications:

• Influenza transmission analysis: Analyzing variations in transmission of seasonal influenza strains in Israel.
• Social distancing evaluation: Assessing the effectiveness of social distancing measures during the H1N1 epidemic in Mexico City.
• Measles outbreak investigation: Investigating measles outbreaks in London to inform immunization policy.
• Avian influenza dynamics: Gaining insights into H7N9 avian influenza transmission dynamics in China.
• Dengue multistrain modeling: Exploring multistrain dengue fever models with emphasis on mosquito vectors, cross-strain immunity, and antibody responses.
• Climate impacts on malaria: Studying the influence of climate variations on malaria incidence rates.
• Ebola epidemic modeling: Modeling behavioral changes and disease reintroduction via animal reservoirs during the Ebola epidemic.
• Foodborne pathogen tracking: Tracking Salmonella transmission in pork from farm to fork in Germany.
• Air-travel threat assessment: Using the air travel feature to assess threats posed by weaponizing infectious diseases (doctoral dissertation application).
• Parasitic disease control in livestock: Evaluating control strategies for parasitic diseases in sheep in Great Britain.
• African swine fever policy support: Validating models and informing policy decisions regarding African swine fever in Germany and Hungary.

Methodology:

Uses a modular framework to build spatial and temporal models, integrates community-developed models and reusable plug-ins, incorporates denominator data, includes an air travel component, and supports multistrain models with mosquito vectors, cross-strain immunity, and antibody-response elements.