Avian Influenza, also known as Bird Flu is a naturally occurring and very contagious virus among birds. There have been over one hundred known cases of human infection since 1997, caused by contact with infected birds and contaminated objects or through an intermediate host. In humans, the virus causes severe respiratory illness, pneumonia, conjunctivitis, and can be fatal. An "antigenic shift," in which the avian influenza strain exchanges genes with a human influenza strain to increase its affinity for humans, could result in a possible pandemic, killing millions and eventually turning into a epidemic.

Purpose:

The purpose of the project is to model the spread of Avian Influenza in the United States, given a hypothetical mutation in the virus that results in a pandemic.

Procedure:

A program in Java will be used to simulate the effects of the epidemic influenza. This program will include the factors of mortality rate, infected rate, immune rate, etc. The math model that will be in use is hypothetical, due to the virus being recently originated. The program will display the infected regions on a map. A random number generator will be utilized to select a position on the map to begin the virus.

Project Mentor:

Nick Bennett

Team Members:

  Matthew Cardiel
  Jesus Lopez
  Jacob Terry
  Curtis Tade

Sponsoring Teacher: Albert Simon

Mail the entire Team