title: The implications of network structure for epidemic dynamics.
abstract: It has long been realised that the standard assumptions of mass-action mixing are a crude approximation of the true mechanistic processes that govern the transmission of infection. In particular, many infections can be considered to be spread through a limited network of contacts. Yet, despite the underlying discrepancies, mass-action models continue to be used and provide a remarkably accurate description of epidemic behaviour. Here, the differences between mass-action and network-based models are investigated. This allows us to determine when mass-action models are a reliable tool, and suggest ways in which their behaviour should be refined.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences and Mathematics Institute, University of Warwick, Gibbet Hill Road, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK. m.j.keeling@warwick.ac.uk
authors.forename: Matt
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Keeling
mesh_terms: D016000:Cluster Analysis; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000517:prevention & control*; D017146:Models, Organizational; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D006113:United Kingdom