Operations Research and Management of Infectious Diseases

Health care sector and medical science has been dynamically evolving since past 20 years. Emergence of epidemics like SARS, HIV, Malaria and recently covid-19 have resulted in the incorporation of operational research in medical science. The field has experienced a growing presence of operational research techniques to study the dynamics of various pandemics and come up with effective intervention strategies. Operational research techniques like mathematical, stochastic and probabilistic modelling etc. have proved to be effective in decision making, prevention, and post-pandemic management (vaccination drives, medical help distribution). In this study, we have conducted a systematic review of several research articles published across the globe in this field. We have tried to determine the patterns and interconnections between different models developed over the years and trace the path of evolution of operational research in epidemic management. Our results also indicate areas that need to be studied further with greater depth and areas to delve into further.