Abstract for: Understanding the dynamics of Ebola transmission using a simple dynamic model

This paper and the attached model extend traditional SIR epidemiological models in order to account for spatiality in the transmission of infectious disease such as Ebola. The 2014 Ebola epidemic in West Africa is the largest outbreak of the disease in history both in terms of scale and scope. Unlike previous outbreaks, which have each been limited to fewer than 500 cases and have all been contained to single countries, this epidemic has infected tens of thousands as it has spread to multiple countries. This prototype model incorporates several aspects of the disease transmission that appear to have contributed to the size of this outbreak; in particular, the model builds upon the structure of traditional SIR models in order to account for the spread of disease due to international and domestic travel. (abstract length: 132 words; total paper length: 2,665 words)