Epidemics and the End of Humankind

Explore the fascinating world of infectious disease modeling in this 15-minute TEDx talk by Dr. Rosalind Eggo, an Assistant Professor at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine. Delve into the history of pandemics, from the 1918 Spanish Flu to the 2014 Ebola outbreak, and discover how mathematical models are used to track and prevent the spread of deadly viruses. Learn about key concepts such as the difference between epidemics and pandemics, reproduction numbers, and rates of transmission. Gain insights into how simulations and computational methods help scientists understand the mechanisms driving infection spread and design effective interventions. With a blend of science and humor, Dr. Eggo addresses the pressing question of whether a pandemic could potentially mark the end of humankind, while also touching on lighter topics like modeling a hypothetical zombie apocalypse.

Introduction
Influenza pandemic
Epidemic vs pandemic
The reproduction number
Rate of transmission
Simulation
Reproduction numbers
Infectious pathogens
Control measures
Zombie infection
Zombie apocalypse