Epidemiological Agent-Based Modelling Software (Epiabm)

TL;DR

Epiabm is an open-source, modular agent-based modelling software for epidemiology, capable of simulating complex, age-stratified populations with multiple backends for educational and high-performance needs.

Contribution

It re-implements the CovidSim model with enhanced modularity, testing, and dual backend support, facilitating broad epidemiological research and education.

Findings

Provides a flexible platform for epidemic scenario simulation

Supports both Python and C++ backends for scalability

Enables detailed, age-stratified population modeling

Abstract

Epiabm is a fully tested, open-source software package for epidemiological agent-based modelling, re-implementing the well-known CovidSim model from the MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis at Imperial College London. It has been developed as part of the first-year training programme in the EPSRC SABS:R3 Centre for Doctoral Training at the University of Oxford. The model builds an age-stratified, spatially heterogeneous population and offers a modular approach to configure and run epidemic scenarios, allowing for a broad scope of investigative and comparative studies. Two simulation backends are provided: a pedagogical Python backend (with full functionality) and a high performance C++ backend for use with larger population simulations. Both are highly modular, with comprehensive testing and documentation for ease of understanding and extensibility. Epiabm is publicly available through GitHub at https://github.com/SABS-R3-Epidemiology/epiabm.