Computer Simulates Bird Flu Spreading Across U.S.
Wednesday, April 05, 2006

According to an article by Robert Roy Britt of LiveScience.com a new computer model has been created that reveals how a pandemic such as avian flu might spread across the U.S. Rsearchers start with the assumption of 10 highly infectious flu cases in Los Angeles. The model shows that the virus spreads quickly. In a simlulation for 90 days it shows a possible 100 infections per 1,000 residents across the country. An animated map shows how this works.

The article goes on to describe possible measures. Advance preparation of vaccine in large quantities is a better choice than waiting to see what the strain is. Although quaranteines, school closings, and restrictions on travel won't prevent the thread they are important to help slow it down.