Disease surveillance is a global concern. In a world where international trade, migration of humans and animals, and ecological changes take place at a rapid pace, numerous infectious diseases and vectors have pandemic aptitudes. With life-threatening diseases spreading beyond borders, global health security is at risk, especially in developing countries. For instance, infectious viruses like Zika, SARS, and H5N1 have become a pandemic threat, revealing that adequate disease surveillance networks can save lives and economies. To set an example, it’s been documented that an effective surveillance system can decrease the magnitude of a SARS outbreak by one-third and its duration by one month (Mirza et al., 2013).
Disease surveillance networks have the potential to collect vital ecological and medical data and detect diseases in their early stages. A systematic review conducted by Choi and colleagues (2016) revealed that technologies could boost the capacities of standard disease surveillance systems. By integrating digital solutions, local and international networks can enhance rapid communication, engagement, early warning, and research, which will result in decreased disability, mortality, and poverty rates. To answer the newest demands of global health security, platforms like ConductScience Digital Health can help experts build effective surveillance networks and implement technological advancements in both practice and research.
Disease surveillance is essential for human-animal-ecosystem dynamics. Disease surveillance is defined as the ongoing task of collecting, analyzing, and reporting data related to emerging infection outbreaks. From the accurate prediction of epidemics to the effective development of action plans, information can be utilized across different areas. One of the main applications surveillance systems have is an early warning, which is the process of informing and connecting individuals, institutions, and governments (Yang, 2017).
By implementing technological solutions into disease surveillance networks, experts can foster detection, prevention, and communication. Also, there’s growing evidence that effective surveillance systems can mitigate costs (Mirza et al., 2013). Note that originally, disease surveillance networks relied on printed reports managed by experts and volunteers, which made the data prone to errors and delays. New digital approaches – such as mobile apps, wearables, sensors, web platforms, and syndromic surveillance systems – on the other hand, can only improve health outcomes (Global Infectious Disease Surveillance and Detection: Assessing the Challenges – Finding Solutions, Workshop Summary.). Therefore, ConductScience Digital Health enables the successful integration of health technologies to support the visibility, coordination, recovery, and prevention of health crises
Conventionally, these assessments were administered through paper and pen methods used in combination with pagers or electronic wristwatches (Delespaul et al. 1995). With the advancement in technology, electronic devices (PDAs), and smartphone apps such as ConductScience Digital Health surpassed the traditional pen-and-paper technique. The surveys are usually short and completed within 1 to 2 minutes. The items are designed for prompt and easy data collection which usually comprise open-ended questions, checklists or self-report Likert scales, and visual analog scales (Csikszentmihalyi et al. 2013).
Collection of data: The abundance of medical data worldwide can challenge data collection. Via ongoing monitoring of multiple sources, Qolty enables noise reduction and the automatic extraction of relevant information across web content, RSS feeds, media news, social media platforms (e.g., Twitter), contact rosters, email lists (e.g., ProMed), flight manifests, science records (e.g. OpenMRS), and other sources. Consequently, analytics modules support the analysis of big data and its hidden patterns. In addition, since human input is essential for the verification of information, users can modify the collaboration settings of their network, invite specialists and witnesses, and allow new entries and feedback. Note that the increased use of mobile phones and apps facilitates data collection and validation across borders – with data being processed in real-time and validated at the source. For instance, collaborators can enter data (e.g., number of deaths) via their devices (e.g., in a simple table with a user-friendly calendar).
Search optimization: Information should be processed efficiently. Since most surveillance systems are disease-specific (e.g., swine flu), Qolty can help parties explore a disease, population, or region of interest. The implementation of data mining techniques leads to structured and optimized searches. Both symptom and quarantine monitoring are targeted. To set an example, sophisticated analytics, and data mining solutions can improve the information filtering of relevant measures and quests (e.g., bioterrorism). Note that learning algorithms are robust to past processing errors, which improves the future identification of early symptoms, geocoding, and routes of transmission.
Data integration: Data integration is another challenge that effective disease surveillance systems should overcome. Since digital solutions benefit data integration, ConductScience Digital Health can help experts take advantage of the newest information advancements. The system supports the screening, filtering, and integration of relevant information across various users, applications, and sources. The implementation of standard codes, on the other hand, allows users to track, synchronize, and change data from multiple databases (e.g., Excel tables, Google spreadsheets, and JavaScript) in order to support healthcare data exchange and interoperability.
Accuracy and accessibility: Technologies facilitate the collection and analysis of information. ConductScience Digital Health provides accurate, integrated, and validated information, which is monitored and analyzed by specialists 24/7. Data is not only accurate but accessible. The collection of data occurs in real-time and can be processed in different languages and translated into English, which makes information accessible beyond borders. Daily summary reports are also available. In addition, experts can train applications to process upcoming messages with possible mistakes (e.g., no commas or full stops) without changing user behaviors. Since many people report cases or symptoms via text messages or social media posts, the capability to analyze reports with syntax structures prone to errors becomes vital.
Visualization: Health technologies provide an interactive and engaging interface and software programs. Augmented reality improves the visual experience. In fact, visualization, such as maps and reports, is another fundamental aspect ConductScience Digital Health supports. By producing regular graphs and extracting visuals, experts will be able to understand the particular disease of interest and its impact on global health. To be more precise, after collecting and integrating information about disease instances, experts can visualize that data on maps or graphs (according to location, time, duration, etc.). Visuals help parties spot and understand patterns at a glance.
Effective communication: Surveillance systems aim to improve global health. Therefore, communication and transparency become essential. From eyewitness reports to lab tests, ConductScience Digital Health brings people together. Real-time public health surveillance and availability of data (stored electronically and transmitted to the cloud) facilitate global health data exchange. The use of available Internet sources may lead to access to information, which hasn’t been censored by governments. Effective disease surveillance systems enhance communication via social networks, app notifications, emails, and free subscriptions. In addition, open-source tools can overcome literacy, language, and technological barriers. Experts can create apps (based either on built-in tools or new codes) that interact via voice and support VoIP. Note that confidentiality, one of the main principles of research management, is guaranteed.
Engagement: Research shows that digital tools fuel engagement. In fact, crowdsourcing – or the process of obtaining information via a big section from the public – support point-of-care data collection. ConductScience Digital Health can help experts create tools that set up reminders, lists, and subscriptions. Such features can support immunization reminders, which can prevent illnesses later in life. By setting a time interval, for instance, notifications become tailored instead of invasive. Note that reminders can be sent to any text messaging-enabled mobile device or smartphone. On top of that, since communication is a two-way street, people’s updates and opinions are also being considered. Experts can conduct polls (including surveys with short answers) which eliminates the need for paper surveys. Results can be extracted as a spreadsheet or any other easy-to-use format and utilized to evaluate intervention and prevention programs.
Action steps: Tech solutions support not only data collection and analysis but real action steps, such as early warning, evaluation of current practices, and vaccines. By enhancing the continuous monitoring of datasets and overcoming potential disease surveillance challenges, ConductScience Digital Health can help experts create a disease surveillance network that supports an active investigation and effective prevention. The process of early detection is achieved through access to data and analysis of abundant demographic and geographic information (including visuals and maps of outbreaks). Proactive monitoring is essential. For example, if a contact shows any symptoms of an infection, findings are tracked to minimize continued disease spread. Analysts can flag events and set alerts to boost actions, as well as provide support and feedback. By using voice, GPS, web platforms, and SMS, experts can create an effective network, improve team communication, and build a response team to support public safety. Such features, including the use of simulations, can benefit activists and human rights organizations.
Digital perspectives: Digital solutions are reshaping global health. Note that, as explained above, the increased use of mobile phones and apps helps people send information, get notifications, and participate in surveys related to disease outbreaks at low infrastructure costs. Low infrastructure costs can benefit regions and economies in need. As a result, we can help experts create a disease surveillance network that follows the One Health approach and embraces the future of digital health and clinical studies (Mackenzie et al., 2013). Note that apps are no longer reserved for programmers. For instance, anyone can build a unique message-based application with a user-friendly API and simple protocol (e.g., HTTP) to respond to crises or outbreaks. Apps are configurable for changing technologies and locations, while at the same time, data can be throttled to minimize potential tension with mobile companies.
Since the health outcomes of humans, animals, and ecosystems are interconnected, disease surveillance systems can prevent pandemics. The global efforts to improve health outcomes in humans, animals, and ecosystems are known as One Health (Mackenzie et al., 2013). Note that many infectious diseases can spread across species, with 70% being zoonotic. Therefore, disease surveillance systems are designed to support the aims of the One Health approach. Note that surveillance can be classified into different groups according to four criteria. First of all, surveillance systems can vary according to their scope: systems can be divided into death surveillance, event-based surveillance, and syndromic surveillance. Targets also influence surveillance. For instance, surveillance can be community-based, lab-based, or health facility-based. Although surveillance supports global health, coverage should be considered. Systems can monitor the whole population, high-risk population, or sentinels. Perhaps one of the most tech-relevant divisions is according to data collection methods: there’s active and passive surveillance. While passive systems rely on clinicians, who may notice a case, active systems agencies, make outreach and actively search for cases (Yang, 2017).
Although there are different types of surveillance systems with various purposes (e.g., early warning and evaluation of measures across countries), most traditional systems are hierarchical. In any hierarchical system, a clinician spots and reports a case, authorities conduct epidemiological and lab investigations, and governments take action steps (Morse, 2014), which often is time-consuming and prone to errors. Therefore, advanced platforms like ConductScience Digital Health implement technologies to foster active outreach and improve active surveillance. It’s interesting to mention that both traditional and digital networks rely on four crucial aspects: data collection, characterization, analysis, and dissemination. When it comes to dissemination, information can be a double-edged sword: while it can benefit travelers and locals, governments and economies may be affected by unrestricted access to inaccurate information (Global Infectious Disease Surveillance and Detection: Assessing the Challenges – Finding Solutions, Workshop Summary.).
Interestingly, the tech revolutions in healthcare and surveillance have led to various newly coined terms, as revealed by a comprehensive review conducted by Choi and colleagues (2016). Syndromic surveillance is one of the recent terms which refers to systems that detect disease outbreaks promptly. Biosurveillance relies on complex algorithms to identify threats before actual diagnoses. Infodemiology epidemiology, on the other hand, supports the distribution of information to inform public health. Infoveillance refers to longitudinal tracking and analyses of vital disease-related metrics. Digital surveillance opts to provide knowledge through the accurate analysis and distribution of digital data. Last but not least, real-time surveillance refers to the identification of any early signs, which can support measures and treatments.
Practice across critical regions across Asia and Africa reveals that surveillance systems can save lives. With all the benefits of infectious disease surveillance networks, the need for sophisticated surveillance networks and digital solutions is imminent. Big data can be utilized to explore the distribution of diseases, animal reservoirs, habitats, drug resistance of pathogens, natural disasters, and political factors (Yang, 2017). Accurate information can save lives and prevent catastrophes. It can also benefit economies, especially in developing countries and rural areas, and force legal regulations.
Disease surveillance and action steps cannot be analyzed separately. By providing critical information, disease surveillance systems support early warning and action programs. Surveillance networks can be used to:
As there are numerous applications of disease surveillance, which is an integrated factor for global health, Qolty can help experts concentrate their research on major aspects, such as:
Mass gatherings: Disease surveillance systems, including anticipatory and enhanced surveillance, are necessary to regulate mass gatherings, such as religious celebrations and sports events (Nsoesie et al., 2015). Note that researchers show that factors like close proximity may lead to outbreaks of both vaccine-preventable and non-vaccine-preventable conditions.
Global travel: Lower costs and access to travel may lead to emerging outbreaks. For instance, MERS, which was introduced to South Korea and spread across China, was brought by a traveler. Therefore, all data collected from mobile apps and wireless sensors is essential to support early warning and surveillance.
Food safety: Food safety is another global concern. Since humans, animals, and ecosystems are interconnected, bacteria, viruses, and parasites can enter species – with the foodborne route being the most common way of contamination (Mackenzie, 2013). A surveillance system can support the development of regulations and safety practices.
Wildlife: From hunting to farming, people are in close contact with animals. To set an example, the gray squirrels introduced from the US to the UK harmed the native red squirrels and became a pest to farmers, foresters, and conversationalists. Therefore, wildlife must be considered, given the increased pathogens that can infect humans and domestic animals.
Regions: Insufficient resources may challenge global health and disease surveillance. Therefore, any comprehensive system should support the mapping of poor and underrepresented areas and improve health outcomes worldwide. Digital tools can benefit text messaging, data exchange, and visualization. For instance, users can send messages, enter data or upload an existing file, which can be updated, visualized, and analyzed from everywhere across the globe. Note that live maps and geospatial information can benefit information about resource allocations.
Technological solutions and healthcare practices are interconnected. The recent advancements in technology allow Qolty to support experts in the development of sophisticated study designs and disease surveillance systems. Data collection and integration across sources reveal impressive capabilities. Accurate information and visualization support the effective monitoring and analysis of infectious outbreaks, action steps, and resource allocations. As a result, disease surveillance systems can benefit from early warning, evaluation of measures, and prevention of outbreaks.
In the end, the increased use of mobile phones allows people and governments from all over the globe to send information, report cases, and access data – all at decreased infrastructure costs. Big data, crowd-sourced information, and SMS become essential tools in surveillance. Online networks and apps enhance communication beyond borders and improve practices and research. Note that technology can boost laboratory advancements and pathogen discovery as well. In a nutshell, disease surveillance systems with their numerous capabilities and applications have the potential to improve global health and people’s well-being.
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