Biosurveillance : Methods and Case Studies

This volume discusses how biosurveillance systems support epidemiologists and public health officials in the early identification, situational awareness, and response management of natural and man-made health-related events. Initial chapters build a foundation while subsequent chapters present applied case studies from around the world, including China, the United States, Denmark, and the Asia-Pacific region. Through these case studies, the expert contributors offer first-hand insight on lessons learned and unresolved issues. The book also addresses policy and organizational issues related to the construction of biosurveillance systems.

As evidenced by the anthrax attacks in 2001, the SARS outbreak in 2003, and the H1N1 influenza pandemic in 2009, a pathogen does not recognize geographic or national boundaries, often leading to devastating consequences. Automated biosurveillance systems have emerged as key solutions for mitigating current and future health-related events. Focusing on this promising public health innovation, Biosurveillance: Methods and Case Studies discusses how these systems churn through vast amounts of health-related data to support epidemiologists and public health officials in the early identification, situation awareness, and response management of natural and man-made health-related events.

The book follows a natural sequence from theory to application. The initial chapters build a foundation while subsequent chapters present more applied case studies from around the world, including China, the United States, Denmark, and the Asia-Pacific region. The contributors share candid, first-hand insights on lessons learned and unresolved issues that will help chart the future of biosurveillance.

As this book illustrates, biosurveillance operates in a complex, multidimensional problem space that incorporates varied data. Capturing the progress of modern-day pioneers who are walking in John Snow’s footsteps, this volume shows how contemporary information technology can be applied to the age-old challenge of combating the spread of disease and illness.