What if playing a game on your phone could help scientists understand how diseases spread—and even prevent the next pandemic?
Introducing
a new kind of app built on the Epidemica platform from the Colubri Lab at the University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, co-creators and developers of the award-winning Operation Outbreak app.
Learn more about Epidemica
You'll make decisions, interact with others, and see the spread of a digital "pathogen" play out in front of your eyes.
But don't worry—there's no real virus involved. Just a unique opportunity to be part of cutting-edge science while having fun.
How it works
Download Epigames, enter the join code and join a simulated outbreak together with other participants
Make decisions about who to interact with, how to protect yourself, and how to earn points.
Watch your actions shape the outcome.
Designed for your privacy
Epigames is built with privacy and security at its core:
- No personal or identifiable information is collected.
- Your phone communicates only with nearby devices via anonymous Bluetooth signals.
- All data is securely stored using encrypted, cloud-based infrastructure.
You are always in control and can leave the simulated outbreak at any time.
Upcoming Event
Simulation of a foodborne outbreak at Murdoch University
In collaboration with Bethany Jackson, Mieghan Bruce, Shakeel Mowlaboccus, and Amanda Duarte Barbosa from Murdoch University in Perth, Australia, we created a foodborne disease outbreak scenario for the students in the VET392 class from their Veterinary Science program. The data from this scenario will be then reviewed using a case-control approach to establish where food safety/hygiene measures broke down. This scenario, analysis, and parameters are based on a real-world campylobacteriosis outbreak at a wedding in Melbourne (link).
Veterinary Science at Murdoch UniversityQuestions/Concerns? Please feel free to contact the Principal Investigator, Dr. Andres Colubri (Andres.Colubri@umassmed.edu)
