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Early Detection of Outbreaks Using the BioDefend™ Syndromic Surveillance System --- Florida, May 2002--July 2004

Kristin B. Uhde,1 C. Farrell,1 Y. Geddie,2 M. Leon,3 J. Cattani1
1
University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida; 2MacDill Air Force Base, Tampa, Florida;
3
Celebration Research Institute, Celebration, Florida

Corresponding author: Corey L. Farrell, University of South Florida, 3602 Spectrum Blvd., Tampa, FL 33612. Telephone: 813-974-1473; Fax: 813-974-1479; E-mail: cfarrell@bt.usf.edu.

Disclosure of relationship: The contributors of this report have disclosed that they have no financial interest, relationship, affiliation, or other association with any organization that might represent a conflict of interest. In addition, this report does not contain any discussion of unlabeled use of commercial products or products for investigational use.

Abstract

Introduction: The threat of biologic terrorism (BT) requires the public health infrastructure to focus attention on challenges posed by emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases. Validating realtime approaches to surveillance that can provide timely alerts of epidemics is critical whether the epidemics occur naturally or through a BT attack.

Objectives: This research study implemented and evaluated the BioDefend™ syndromic surveillance system to determine if outbreaks and potential BT attacks could be detected 24--36 hours before routine surveillance and if syndromic surveillance is a feasible approach for BT preparedness and early detection of infectious disease.

Methods: The study was conducted in central Florida high-risk facilities (i.e., theme parks, hospitals, and a military base). A 6-month period of baseline data was collected to identify normal illness trends and seasonality patterns and to serve as the comparison for the test period. Internet-based data entry of provider-identified syndromes was linked to an automated analysis tool that provided alerts through an e-mail--enabled device when substantial increases of syndromes exceeded the pre-established thresholds. Thresholds are based on a 30-day rolling mean, and alerts were generated when any syndrome exceeded three standard deviations above the 30-day rolling mean.

Results: Outbreaks of public health importance were detected by comparing the BioDefend™ data with regional, state, and national surveillance data. Two epidemics, one of gastroenteritis and one of influenza-like illness, were detected by BioDefend™ >1 month before identification through routine surveillance. In addition, a small cluster of cases (five) of fifth disease was identified among South American children visiting central Florida theme parks.

Conclusion: This study indicated that health events can0 be recognized in near real-time through the use of automated analysis and notification. Early detection of events allowed for timely interventions, including vaccination campaigns at military and civilian hospitals, and it demonstrated one way that syndromic surveillance can be an effective tool for early detection of outbreaks in addition to its potential role in BT preparedness. The system continues to be used in central Florida and was implemented for the 2005 Super Bowl.

Use of trade names and commercial sources is for identification only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.


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Date last reviewed: 8/5/2005

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