title: Local collaborations: development and implementation of Boston's bioterrorism surveillance system.
abstract: The Boston Public Health Commission developed and implemented an active surveillance system for bioterrorism and other infectious disease emergencies. A bioterrorism Surveillance Task Force was formed with representatives from local emergency medicine, infection control, infectious diseases, public health, and emergency medical services. These local agencies worked together to develop a reliable, easy to use electronic surveillance system. Collaboration at the local level and building on existing relationships is a key component of this system. Effective follow-up systems and technology back-up plans are essential. Improved communication networks and increased bioterrorism education for clinicians and the general public have also been achieved.
authors.affiliation: Communicable Disease Control Division, Boston Public Health Commission, Massachusetts 02118, USA.
authors.forename: Verna B
authors.initials: VB
authors.lastname: McKenna
authors.forename: Julia E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Gunn
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Auerbach
authors.forename: Kathryn H
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Brinsfield
authors.forename: K Sophia
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Dyer
authors.forename: M Anita
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Barry
mesh_terms: D023482:Bioterrorism; D001900:Boston; D003153:Community Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration; D003201:Computers; D004189:Disaster Planning / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004631:Emergency Medical Service Communication Systems; D007373:Interinstitutional Relations; D009111:Local Government; D011159:Population Surveillance / Q000379:methods*; D016730:Program Development; D011635:Public Health Administration / Q000379:methods