Understanding infectious diseases: modelling approaches for the trypanosomiases.

In recent years, modellers have been enchanted by the prospect of using mathematical equations to describe the transmission of trypanosomiasis and other infectious diseases. Models have been proposed but their value to controlling disease has not been properly understood. Many of these models have been constrained by the limitations of classical modelling techniques. Advances in computer hardware and software offers the prospect of describing disease systems using computer simulations, databases and knowledgebases. These developments point towards better models for the understanding and prediction of African trypanosomiasis.