Team Number: 059
School Name: Santa Fe High School
Area of Science: Epidemiology
Project Title: The Epidemiology of Influenza


Interim Report 


Problem Definition


	The project will consist of the epidemiology and spread of the pathogen influenza in the isolated society of Santa Fe and Albuquerque, New Mexico. Any outside contacts will not be studied or computed in this project. The epidemiology of influenza in adults and children will be studied separately and compared. A computer model will be made that will stimulate the spread of the disease through the people in the isolated area. This will demonstrate the rate at which the disease spreads and the probability of getting influenza. The project will include a study on what type of a person is more susceptible to getting influenza and what factors, such as getting a flu vaccination, will either increase or decrease the chance of getting influenza.


Problem Solution


	The epidemiology will be demonstrated using the computer program, Star Logo. C++ will be used for any other computer programming. Diagrams will show how influenza can spread from one body to another.


Progress to Date


	We have done research on influenza. We are in the progress of finding a mentor (we have contected one). We are also in the progress of learning Star Logo and C++.


Expected Results


	We expect to find that the rate of the spread of influenza is directly proportional to the number of people that come in contact with influenza. The rate of the spread and the number of infected people will drastically decrease with vaccinations. We expect the young, old, weak, and sick people will have a greater chance of infection.


Citations


Cerro Gordo County Department of Public Health
www.tdh.state.tx.us.com
www.cdc.com
www.health.state.ny.us.com
www.encarta.msn.com


Team Members:  Dahlia Musharrafieh and Caitlin Armijo

Sponsoring Teacher: Anita Gerlach