Choosing pandemic parameters for pandemic preparedness planning: a comparison of pandemic scenarios prior to and following the influenza A(H1N1) 2009 pandemic

Charlie P van der Weijden, Mart L Stein, André J Jacobi, Mirjam E E Kretzschmar, Ralf Reintjes, Jim E van Steenbergen, Aura Timen

Research output: Contribution to JournalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Mathematical models are used to explore various possible scenarios with regard to an influenza pandemic. We studied the ranges of parameter values in modelling studies on preparedness prior to 2009 in relation to the estimated parameter values of the influenza A(H1N1) 2009 pandemic.

METHODS AND FINDINGS: We conducted two systematic literature searches, one aimed at epidemic parameter values that were used in pre-2009 pandemic influenza models, and the other aimed at estimates of epidemic variables from data collected during the influenza A(H1N1) 2009 pandemic. The range of parameter values used to inform models was broad and covered the range of estimates of these parameters inferred from the influenza A(H1N1) 2009 pandemic.

CONCLUSION: The current practice of selecting a range of plausible parameter values for influenza works well for modelling scenarios where effects of different interventions are explored to guide public health decision makers. To narrow down this range of plausible parameter values to the actual value during a pandemic, using incoming data, real-time estimation might provide an additional benefit.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)52-62
Number of pages11
JournalHealth Policy
Volume109
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jan 2013
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Health Planning/methods
  • Hospitalization/statistics & numerical data
  • Humans
  • Infectious Disease Incubation Period
  • Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype
  • Influenza, Human/epidemiology
  • Models, Theoretical
  • Pandemics/prevention & control

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Choosing pandemic parameters for pandemic preparedness planning: a comparison of pandemic scenarios prior to and following the influenza A(H1N1) 2009 pandemic'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this