Impact of the use of protective measures on the spread of viruses: A simulation with cellular automata and a compute unified device architecture, CUDA

Abstract

This study evaluates the impact of face mask usage on the spread of infectious diseases using a cellular automata model implemented on GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) with CUDA (Compute Unified Device Architecture). The main objective is to analyze how individual protective measures, such as mask-wearing, affect epidemic dynamics in a two-dimensional population of 1000x1000 individuals, considering parameters such as recovery time (T_rem), immunity duration (T_imu), and the percentage of mask adoption (M). The methodology employs local transmission rules based on differentiated probabilities according to mask usage, simulating scenarios with periodic boundary conditions and up to 100,000 time steps. The results show that a higher percentage of mask usage significantly reduces the peak of infections and can shift the propagation regime from endemic to extinction. However, universal mask usage, while reducing transmission, may delay the acquisition of herd immunity, highlighting the need to complement these measures with strategies such as vaccination. The model, being visual and flexible, facilitates the understanding of complex epidemiological concepts and allows exploring hypothetical scenarios to assess the effectiveness of different interventions. The conclusions emphasize the importance of adopting a comprehensive approach that combines protective measures, immunization, and public health policies to effectively mitigate virus spread.