Modeling infectious diseases dissemination through online role-playing games.

Full Abstract

As mathematical modeling of infectious diseases becomes increasingly important for developing public health policies, a novel platform for such studies might be considered. Millions of people worldwide play interactive online role-playing games, forming complex and rich networks among their virtual characters. An unexpected outbreak of an infective communicable disease (unplanned by the game creators) recently occurred in this virtual world. This outbreak holds surprising similarities to real-world epidemics. It is possible that these virtual environments could serve as a platform for studying the dissemination of infectious diseases, and as a testing ground for novel interventions to control emerging communicable diseases.

Author information

Author/s: Balicer, Ran D (RD);

Affiliation: Epidemiology Department, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel. rbalicer(-atsign-)netvision.net.il

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article

Journal: Epidemiology (Cambridge, Mass.) (Epidemiology), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2007-Mar; vol 18 (issue 2) : pp 260-1

Dates: Created 2007/02/15; Completed 2007/03/22;

PMID: 17301707, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 2/18/2009, IMS Date: )

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