Mathematical modelling is the only way to analyse the effectiveness of different
disease control strategies, as stated by (Ferguson, Keeling et al. 2003). Simulation is
the obvious way, since real life experimentation is impossible. Cellular automata
have become a powerful tool to model the spread of disease. A cellular automaton
(CA) is a mathematical ‘machine’ or ‘organism’ that lends itself to some very
remarkable and elegant ideas. One of the most exciting aspects of this area of
mathematics is that cellular automata arise from very basic mathematical principles
which, when applied repeatedly, produce complex outcomes. More details on
cellular automata are presented in the next Chapter.