In the model, the current compliance rates for diagnosis, quarantine and absenteeism are set at 50 per cent (figure 2). However, in the event of a pandemic outbreak, there may be heightened awareness among the population, such that individuals displaying flu-like symptoms are now more likely to seek medical attention and follow quarantine orders. To investigate the effects of varying compliance, we simulate the model with varying levels of compliance rates (from 30 to 70% for a medium transmissible pandemic outbreak, i.e. R 0 ¼ 1.9).