Modelling infectious disease transmission dynamics in conference environments: An agent-based approach

The looming threat of infectious diseases perpetually challenges the global public health landscape. Central to addressing this concern is the imperative to prevent and manage disease transmission during pandemics, particularly in unique settings. This study addresses the transmission dynamics of infectious diseases within conference venues by presenting a computational model that simulates transmission processes over a condensed timeframe (one day), beginning with sporadic cases. Our model captures the activities of individual attendees within the conference venue, including meetings, rest breaks, and meal breaks. While meetings entail proximity seating, rest and lunch periods allow attendees to interact with diverse individuals. Moreover, the restroom environment poses an additional avenue for potential infection transmission. Employing an agent-based model, we meticulously replicated the transmission dynamics of infectious diseases, with a specific emphasis on close-contact interactions between infected and susceptible individuals. Through comprehensive analysis of model simulations, we elucidated the intricacies of disease transmission dynamics within conference settings and assessed the efficacy of control strategies to curb disease dissemination. Ultimately, our study provides a numerical framework for assessing the risk of infectious disease transmission during short-duration conferences, furnishing conference organizers with valuable insights to inform the implementation of targeted prevention and control measures.