For future works, we may add more flexibility to the policies being implemented, such as differential handling of index cases and contacts as briefly discussed. One mitigation means that can also be further explored is the role of vaccines and how they would shape the spread of the pandemic outbreak. Additionally, more complex social interaction patterns (Barrett et al. 2008) can be implemented to represent the spread of the pandemic in a more realistic manner. Data mining techniques (Baily-Kellogg et al. 2006) can then be used on the simulation results to better assist policy makers in assessing the implications and effectiveness of their policies both spatially and temporally. Finally, the aggregate cost function (equation (3.1)) may also be modified to present a more systematic cost -utility assessment of the various diagnostic approaches and intervention policies, taking into account factors such as quality-adjusted life-years (Sander et al. 2009 ).