title: Building PulseNet International: an interconnected system of laboratory networks to facilitate timely public health recognition and response to foodborne disease outbreaks and emerging foodborne diseases.
abstract: PulseNet USA, the national molecular subtyping network for foodborne disease surveillance, began functioning in the United States in 1996 and soon established itself as a critical early warning system for foodborne disease outbreaks, particularly those in which cases may be geographically dispersed. The PulseNet network is now being replicated in different ways in Canada, Europe, the Asia Pacific region, and Latin America. These independent networks work together in PulseNet International allowing public health officials and laboratorians to share molecular epidemiologic information in real-time and enabling rapid recognition and investigation of multi-national foodborne disease outbreaks. Routine communication between the various international PulseNet networks will provide early warning on foodborne disease outbreaks to participating public health institutions and countries.
authors.affiliation: Foodborne and Diarrheal Diseases Branch, Division of Bacterial and Mycotic Diseases, National Center for Infectious Diseases, Coordinating Center for Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia 30033, USA. bas5@cdc.gov
authors.forename: Bala
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Swaminathan
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gerner-Smidt
authors.forename: Lai-King
authors.initials: LK
authors.lastname: Ng
authors.forename: Susanna
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lukinmaa
authors.forename: Kai-Man
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Kam
authors.forename: Sharon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rolando
authors.forename: Enrique Pérez
authors.initials: EP
authors.lastname: Gutiérrez
authors.forename: Norma
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Binsztein
mesh_terms: D015373:Bacterial Typing Techniques; D002170:Canada; D016208:Databases, Factual / Q000592:standards; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D016521:Electrophoresis, Gel, Pulsed-Field / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D005060:Europe; D005516:Food Microbiology; D006801:Humans; D007391:International Cooperation; D007753:Laboratories; D011634:Public Health; D013020:South America; D014481:United States