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Simple measures such as staying inside and watching TV can help combat potential flu epidemics, experts have revealed, the Daily Mail reports.

Vaccinations and medications provide an effective form of response in the face of an outbreak.

But avoiding social activity and staying at home can help halt the spread of infectious diseases, scientists have said.

A new study by a team of scientists at the University of California, Arizona State University, Georgia State University and Yale University found these non-pharmaceutical interventions can prove effective.

Whether privately initiated or policy directed, actions calling for the closure of schools and entertainment venues, and cancelling public events are becoming more relevant in control strategies.

Lead author of the study economist Michael Springborn, from the Univeristy of California, said: The swine flu outbreak that hit Mexico City in April 2009 could have been worse, but spread of the virus was reduced by people's behavioural response of distancing themselves from each other.'

The researchers created a new model that incorporates behavioural responses into existing models of disease spread.

In April 2009 in Mexico, following confirmation of a new strain of A/H1N1 influenza virus, or swine flu, the federal government closed public schools in Mexico City and 'social distancing' measures were put in place.

Researchers looked at television viewing in the home in Central Mexico as an indicator of behavioural response, during the pandemic.

Professor Springborn said television ratings are consistently and widely available and 'highly correlate' with time spent in the home.

The data provides a good indicator for the level of social interaction, with time spent watching TV increasing with the amount of time spent in the home.

When people are at home, they limit the number of other people they come into contact with.

'We found that the behavioural response to the outbreak was initially strong but waned sooner than expected,' Professor Springborn said.

'This dynamic is interpreted as a rebound effect.'

At the onset of the flu outbreak, the public responded strongly to the directed control policies.

But after a period of time of staying at home, people began to leave the confines of their houses.

Professor Springborn said: 'This suggests that efforts to utilise social distancing to mitigate disease spread may have a limited window of efficacy, before pent up demand for activities outside the home takes precedence.'