Queueing technique for Ebola Virus Disease transmission and control analysis

Abstract

Objective: The outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in different countries, especially the West African nations has been ravaging human lives and the economy. The ugly situation calls for urgent provision of sound EVD control measures. Methods/ Statistical Analysis: This paper proposes the queueing technique as a promising and efficient mathematical approach for the study of EVD transmission and control. It highlights the queueing theory governing equation and applies the theory to EVD problem. Findings: The application of the technique to the Guinea 2014 EVD outbreak indicates that the use of two quarantine centres to combat the outbreak would have served as an adequate control measure. This technique can be used to manage the manpower and material resources in the combat against EVD outbreak. Applications/Improvements: This approach brings to fore the possible use of queueing technique in the analysis of EVD outbreak. Transmission and control in other countries ravaged by EVD could be studied using queueing network models.