[Simulation as an aid in the study of the course and effects of an infectious animal disease. A prospective study exemplified by transmissible gastroenteritis in a pig breeding farm]. / Simulatie als hulpmiddel bij het bestuderen van het verloop en de effecten van een besmettelijke dierziekte. Een oriënterend onderzoek aan de hand van TGE op een varkensvermeerderingsbedrijf.

The possibilities of applying simulation in a study on the occurrence and effects of infectious animal disease are reported. For this purpose a model of transmissible gastroenteritis (TGE) was designed on a pig-multiplying farm. Using this model, the effects of certain management policies on the financial loss caused by TGE were quantified. It is concluded that computer simulation may be of great help in studying animal disease. It may result in better understanding of the manner in which a disease will exert its effects on the farm or on the population. Moreover, it offers an opportunity of predicting the effects of alternative procedures in prevention and control.