 About us
Infectious diseases remain a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, with HIV, malaria and tuberculosis estimated to cause 10% of all deaths each year. New infectious agents continue to emerge in animal and human populations as demonstrated by the pandemic of SARS in 2003 and the emergence of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in poultry and humans in 2004/2005. Current patterns of international travel ensure that such infections remain a global threat. Mathematical modelling of infectious diseases has a long history at LSHTM. Mathematical models are becoming an increasingly important tool to understand how infections are transmitted within populations and to evaluate the potential impact of control programmes in containing their spread and in reducing morbidity and mortality. Currently researchers in all three school departments and the Health Protection Agency are involved in the development and application of mathematical models to interpret infectious disease data, to understand the natural history of infections and to predict the impact of control strategies at the population level such as vaccination, treatment and case-finding. Researchers are applying these models to a range of infections including HIV and other sexually transmitted infections, tuberculosis, hepatitis C, influenza, malaria, hookworm, measles, sleeping sickness, dengue, chagas disease, leishmaniasis, HPV, rubella, MRSA, and varicella. Much of our work is collaborative with those involved in epidemiological and clinical data collection as well as laboratory-based work. We also work closely with policy makers and economists to ensure that our work addresses issues of public health concern. For further information, please contact Richard White |
