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ProMED-mail: an early warning system for emerging diseases
1ProMED-mail, International Society for Infectious Diseases, and Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA. lmadoff@promedmail.org
Summary
The Program for Monitoring Emerging Diseases (ProMED-mail) provides early warnings for infectious disease outbreaks affecting humans, plants, and animals. This global network utilizes the internet for rapid detection and reporting of potential health threats.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Veterinary Medicine
Background:
- Emerging infectious diseases pose significant global health risks.
- Early detection is crucial for effective outbreak response and mitigation.
- Zoonotic diseases, plant, and animal pathogens play a key role in disease emergence.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the Program for Monitoring Emerging Diseases (ProMED-mail).
- To highlight its role as an early warning system for disease outbreaks.
- To explain its methodology and scope.
Main Methods:
- ProMED-mail monitors disease outbreaks of infectious or toxic etiology affecting humans, plants, and animals.
- Utilizes the internet for rapid dissemination of outbreak information.
- Reports are sourced from diverse origins, screened for validity, and contextualized by expert moderators.
Main Results:
- ProMED-mail serves as a global early warning system for emerging disease outbreaks.
- It disseminates timely information to over 32,000 subscribers in more than 150 countries.
- The program covers zoonoses, plant diseases, and animal diseases of agricultural importance.
Conclusions:
- ProMED-mail is a vital, free, and accessible resource for global disease surveillance.
- Its comprehensive monitoring and rapid reporting contribute significantly to public health preparedness.
- The program's broad scope, including animal and plant health, is essential for understanding disease emergence.