The African swine fever modelling challenge: Model comparison and lessons learnt.
Epidemics
; 40: 100615, 2022 09.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-35970067
ABSTRACT
Robust epidemiological knowledge and predictive modelling tools are needed to address challenging objectives, such as understanding epidemic drivers; forecasting epidemics; and prioritising control measures. Often, multiple modelling approaches can be used during an epidemic to support effective decision making in a timely manner. Modelling challenges contribute to understanding the pros and cons of different approaches and to fostering technical dialogue between modellers. In this paper, we present the results of the first modelling challenge in animal health - the ASF Challenge - which focused on a synthetic epidemic of African swine fever (ASF) on an island. The modelling approaches proposed by five independent international teams were compared. We assessed their ability to predict temporal and spatial epidemic expansion at the interface between domestic pigs and wild boar, and to prioritise a limited number of alternative interventions. We also compared their qualitative and quantitative spatio-temporal predictions over the first two one-month projection phases of the challenge. Top-performing models in predicting the ASF epidemic differed according to the challenge phase, host species, and in predicting spatial or temporal dynamics. Ensemble models built using all team-predictions outperformed any individual model in at least one phase. The ASF Challenge demonstrated that accounting for the interface between livestock and wildlife is key to increasing our effectiveness in controlling emerging animal diseases, and contributed to improving the readiness of the scientific community to face future ASF epidemics. Finally, we discuss the lessons learnt from model comparison to guide decision making.
Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Febre Suína Africana
/
Vírus da Febre Suína Africana
/
Epidemias
Tipo de estudo:
Prognostic_studies
/
Qualitative_research
Limite:
Animals
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Epidemics
Ano de publicação:
2022
Tipo de documento:
Article