A new surveillance and spatio-temporal visualization tool SIMID: SIMulation of Infectious Diseases using random networks and GIS

► The new tool SIMID allows spatio-temporal visualization of infectious disease spread, within a GIS framework. ► SIMID permits consideration of a heterogeneous population network of social contacts made up of subnetworks. ► SIMID can capture everyday contacts, e.g. within families, educational institutions, hospitals, transportation hubs etc. ► SIMID produces an ensemble of potential outbreak scenarios and assesses associated uncertainties and mitigation strategies. ► Health care units can use SIMID to identify outbreaks in a prompt time frame and for preventive interventions and training.