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Topological dynamics of the 2015 South Korea MERS-CoV spread-on-contact networks

Chang Hoon Yang1, Hyejin Jung2

  • 1Catholic Kwandong University 24, Beomil-ro 579beon-gil, Gangneung-si, Gangwon-do, 25601, Korea.

Scientific Reports
|March 11, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Network analysis of the 2015 Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) outbreak in Korea revealed super-spreaders and small-world dynamics. This highlights the need for redesigned epidemic control strategies.

Area of Science:

  • Epidemiology
  • Network Science
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Understanding disease transmission dynamics is crucial for effective public health interventions.
  • The 2015 Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) outbreak in Korea provided a significant case study for examining infectious disease spread.
  • Contact network analysis offers a powerful lens to visualize and understand disease transmission patterns.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the transmission pathways and network topology of the 2015 MERS outbreak in Korea.
  • To identify key factors, such as super-spreaders and network structures, influencing disease propagation.
  • To inform the development of improved strategies for epidemic prevention and control.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized network analysis to map infectious contact relations among individuals during the MERS outbreak.
  • Examined the traced relationship matrix of infected individuals.
  • Analyzed bipartite transmission routes within healthcare facilities.

Main Results:

  • Identified a few super-spreaders with structural advantages, enabling widespread transmission.
  • Characterized the infectious contact network as exhibiting small-world dynamics with local clustering and short path lengths.
  • Nosocomial infection analysis revealed a common-source outbreak followed by person-to-person transmission.

Conclusions:

  • Super-spreaders play a critical role in rapid disease dissemination within contact networks.
  • The small-world nature of the MERS network facilitated efficient transmission.
  • Findings support the redesign of public health policies for enhanced epidemic prevention and control.

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