probably th esecond task requires GIS and several apps can be taken even from fire spread and network analysis, for intros see http://dusk2.geo.orst.edu/gis/student_bibs/konnoffd.html, but general epidemiology can be derived with simulation tools likehttp://www.apsnet.org/edcenter/advanced/topics/EpidemiologyTemporal/Pages/ManagementSimulation.aspx