BioSense: implementation of a National Early Event Detection and Situational Awareness System

Area of Science:

• Public Health Surveillance
• Biosecurity
• Epidemiology

Background:

• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) launched BioSense to improve national capabilities for detecting public health emergencies.
• Existing surveillance systems required enhancement for near real-time data analysis and reporting.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish an infrastructure for early detection, quantification, and localization of biologic terrorism and other public health threats.
• To provide state and local public health officials with advanced tools for event detection and situational awareness.

Main Methods:

• BioSense collects and analyzes clinical diagnoses, procedures, and laboratory test orders from the Department of Defense, Department of Veterans Affairs, and Laboratory Corporation of America.
• Data are summarized and visualized by source, day, and syndrome for geographic areas (ZIP code, state, metropolitan).
• A proof-of-concept evaluation was conducted, followed by user recruitment, training, and ongoing support for state and local health departments.

Main Results:

• The system provides near real-time reporting and analytic evaluation capabilities.
• Data visualizations through maps, graphs, and tables enhance understanding of public health data.
• The BioIntelligence Center (BIC) was established for daily internal monitoring and support of national BioSense data.

Conclusions:

• BioSense significantly advances early event detection and situational awareness for public health emergencies.
• Continued investment in data management, algorithm development, and regional/state/local data is crucial.
• Focus remains on supporting state and local public health needs for effective response.