Disease Surveillance

dis launch surveillance is defined as the systematic cultivation collection, info analysis and interpretation of the results in determine to enable efficacious planning in the aspect of disease control. It enables infectious diseases to be detect early so that their potential threat to the popular is minimized. The threats may be due to cases of food borne infections, bioterrorism and communicable diseases (Lombardo and Buckeridge, 2007). There atomic number 18 some(prenominal) systems and networks that have been draw in place in order to assistance in the surveillance of infectious diseases.Disease surveillance also requires the collaboration of antithetic partners and officials, an effective communication system and reliable laboratory networks in order to be effective. BioSense involves the accustom of syndromic info derived from different electronic sources. This improves the speed at which disease is detected. It enables outbreaks to be detected early enough before they malarkey to serious problems. It has been applied in different sectors by the state such as to detect any cases of bioterrorism and other threats that may put the lives of the citizens in danger.This system has been employed by CDC (United States judicature responsibility Office, 2004). electronic Laboratory Exchange intercommunicates (eLEXNET) is a surveillance system used in food safety. It is a web-based system used in state, federal and sluice local agencies. It enables the collaboration of both the government and health officials in that the data regarding food safety is shared and therefore the potential risk of a possible outbreak of food borne diseases is detected early enough (United States governing Accountability Office, 2004).The other type of syndromic system is the Electronic management organisation for the Early Notification of Community based Epidemics (ESSENCE). It relies on data that is got from hospitals, dispensaries and clinics. This data is colle cted daily and assist in the tracking of the common syndromes prepare in a particular area. Historical data is also reformative in this system since it acts as a starting point for the epidemiologists. The officials lav also pin point the specific area or orbit with a high number of a certain syndrome through the use of a geographic information system (United States Government Accountability Office, 2004).Epidemic learning Exchange (Epi-X) is a web based communication system normally used by CDC. It enables the sharing of information with the state, federal and other pubic health officials. It is an effective system since it enables the authorized users to share information and bulge feedbacks on every issue such as the efforts put in place for the control of infectious diseases (United States Government Accountability Office, 2004). Food borne Disease Active oversight Network (FoodNet) is a system which is designed to serve to any new food borne disease that is of public imp ortance.It also monitors the make out and identifies the specific sources of these diseases. It is a more reliable and an accurate system in the estimation of incidences of these diseases (United States Government Accountability Office, 2004). Global Outbreak Alert and resolution Network (GOARN) enable keen surveillance of diseases which have either been support or rumored. It is mostly used by WHO in the surveillance of diseases that are of worldwide importance. The information is gotten from different sources such as the media, institutions and health ministries in different countries (United States Government Accountability Office, 2004).Other systems that have also been used allow Global Public Health Intelligence (GPHIN), Health Alert Network (HAN), Laboratory Response Network (LRN), National Electronic Disease care System (NEDSS), National Electronic Telecommunications System for Surveillance (NETSS), National retail Data Monitor (NRDM), Real Time Outbreak and Disease Sur veillance (RODS) and Sexually Transmitted Disease Management Information System (STDMIS) (United States Government Accountability Office, 2004).These systems require a number of key factors in order for disease surveillance to be effective. First, the source of data must be reliable to enable the accurate and fast response during surveillance. The data is the baseline for surveillance as seen in all the systems above such as ESSENCE and BioSense. Therefore, surveillance cannot be possible without data. Secondly, effective communication networks which enables the information to be shared with other partners such as the state, federal and public health officials.ReferencesLombardo, J.S. & Buckeridge, D.L. (2007).Disease Surveillance A Public Health information processing Approach. New Jersey John Wiley & sons, Inc.United States Government Accountability Office. (2004). Emerging Infectious Diseases Review of State and Federal Disease Surveillance Efforts. Retrieved on 12th May 2010 from http//www.gao.gov/new.items/d04877.pdf