Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) was tasked with developing methods to determine the relevance of data streams for an integrated global biosurveillance system. We used a novel method of evaluating the effectiveness of data streams called the 'surveillance window'. We defined a surveillance window as the brief period of time when information gathered can be used to assist decision makers in effectively responding to an impending outbreak. Information obtained for data streams beyond this window is deemed to have limited use.
Objective
The goal of this project was to provide an approach and evaluation of data stream utility for integrated, global disease surveillance. This effort is part of a larger project which is developing tools to aid decision-makers with timely information to predict, prepare for, and mitigate the spread of disease.