A multi-data source surveillance system to detect a bioterrorism attack during the G8 Summit in Scotland.
In 18 weeks, Health Protection Scotland (HPS) deployed a syndromic surveillance system to early-detect natural or intentional disease outbreaks during the G8 Summit 2005 at Gleneagles, Scotland. The system integrated clinical and non-clinical datasets. Clinical datasets included Accident & Emergency (A&E) syndromes, and General Practice (GPs) codes grouped into syndromes. Non-clinical data included telephone calls to a nurse helpline, laboratory test orders, and hotel staff absenteeism. A cumulative sum-based detection algorithm and a log-linear regression model identified signals in the data. The system had a fax-based track for real-time identification of unusual presentations. Ninety-five signals were triggered by the detection algorithms and four forms were faxed to HPS. Thirteen signals were investigated. The system successfully complemented a traditional surveillance system in identifying a small cluster of gastroenteritis among the police force and triggered interventions to prevent further cases.
European Programme for Intervention Epidemiology Training (EPIET), Solna, Sweden.
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N
Meyer
J
J
McMenamin
C
C
Robertson
M
M
Donaghy
G
G
Allardice
D
D
Cooper
D000465:Algorithms; D023482:Bioterrorism / Q000517:prevention & control*; D019049:Developed Countries; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000517:prevention & control*; D001330:Electronic Data Processing; D006801:Humans; D012606:Scotland; D018571:Sentinel Surveillance