The Creator of Plague Inc. game, James Vaughan, has been invited to speak to the Center for Disease Control (CDC) in Atlanta, Georgia. Plague is a popular mobile game available on iOS and Android devices, and lets the play take control of a deadly pathogen and infect one person – patient zero – with the end goal being to spread the plague to every corner of the globe.

Interestingly, Vaughan has no medical background, and he created this game just as a hobby thing.

“They reached out to contact me,” said Vaughan. “It was something they were all playing, and they thought, ‘Wow, this is pretty cool.’”

“The overall impact of a disease spreading [in the game] is pretty realistic. You have the airports and the boats and it spreads from these major flight connection areas to smaller, more rural areas. They’re interested in how [the plague is] spread. They’re also very keen on how games like Plague Inc. can be used to inform the public about health issues and raise public awareness of these issues.”

Vaughan will speak at the CDC a week before the GDC 2013, but his presentation will not be open to the public.

“Disease control requires massive amounts of data and simulation,” says assistant editor Kyt Dotson. “These models are particularly interesting to gamers, because with the advances in computing technology means that scenarios can be played out using statistics and data on even a home computer. Gamers cross all generations, political affiliations, economic status, religious, and racial divides–having a somewhat realistic simulation to play with will likely work to not just bring more people to work for the CDC, but aid in public understanding of the use of controls to stop diseases from heath care, vaccinations, and other principals designed to protect populations.

“Of course, then again, it could also be secret propaganda for ‘The Plops’ (a truly horrific malady that annihilated humanity in one Plague, Inc. play through by Pocket-Lint.)”

Health-based mobile apps have become quite popular these days as they not only make people aware, but also help them keep a track of their body metrics and wellness. According to Sickweather, a social media-public health startup, Twitter and Facebook users helped them identify the early start of flu season, six weeks earlier than the CDC. We also compiled a list of ten useful health-based apps that will help you stay healthy this flu season. Take a look here.