Detection and early identification in bioterrorism events

Syndromic surveillance, collecting and analyzing symptoms before diagnosis, has the potential to identify bioterrorist attacks in a timely, flexible, and specific manner. Nurses are important resources in collecting and interpreting surveillance data. Clinical skills in early diagnosis may identify a bioterrorist attack before surveillance systems and independently trigger investigations. Computerized syndromic surveillance systems are difficult to sustain and are not in use nationwide. Traditional public health surveillance is not replaced by syndromic surveillance. Weaknesses remain in surveillance related to bioterrorism preparedness. Bioterrorist events must be recognized in a timely manner, but this is dependent on sufficient funding for training, equipment, and personnel.