Editing Bioterrorism (section)

===Biosurveillance===
{{See also|Disease surveillance}}

In 1999, the [[University of Pittsburgh]]'s Center for [[Biomedical]] Informatics deployed the first automated bioterrorism detection system, called [[Real-Time Outbreak Disease Surveillance|RODS (Real-Time Outbreak Disease Surveillance)]]. RODS is designed to collect data from many data sources and use them to perform signal detection, that is, to detect a possible bioterrorism event at the earliest possible moment. RODS, and other systems like it, collect data from sources including clinic data, laboratory data, and data from over-the-counter drug sales.<ref name="WangerMRoleOfClinicalInformationSystems">{{citation|last=Wagner|first=Michael M.|author2=Espino, Jeremy|title=Healthcare Information Management Systems|edition=3|year=2004|publisher=Springer-Verlag|location=New York|pages=513–539|chapter=The role of clinical information systems in public health surveillance|display-authors=etal}}</ref><ref name="WangerMAvailabilityAndComparativeValueOfData">{{citation|last=Wagner|first=Michael M.|author2=Aryel, Ron|title=Availability and Comparative Value of Data Elements Required for an Effective Bioterrorism Detection System|url=http://rods.health.pitt.edu/LIBRARY/dato2AHRQInterimRpt112801.pdf|access-date=May 22, 2009|date=November 28, 2001|publisher=Real-time Outbreak and Disease Surveillance Laboratory|display-authors=etal|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110303223152/http://rods.health.pitt.edu/LIBRARY/dato2AHRQInterimRpt112801.pdf|archive-date=March 3, 2011}}</ref> In 2000, Michael Wagner, the codirector of the RODS laboratory, and [[Ron Aryel]], a subcontractor, conceived the idea of obtaining live data feeds from "non-traditional" (non-health-care) data sources. The RODS laboratory's first efforts eventually led to the establishment of the National Retail Data Monitor, a system which collects data from 20,000 retail locations nationwide.<ref name="WangerMRoleOfClinicalInformationSystems" />

On February 5, 2002, [[George W. Bush]] visited the RODS laboratory and used it as a model for a [[USD|$]]300 million spending proposal to equip all 50 states with biosurveillance systems. In a speech delivered at the nearby [[Masonic temple]], Bush compared the RODS system to a modern "[[Distant Early Warning Line|DEW]]" line (referring to the Cold War ballistic missile early warning system).<ref>{{citation|last=Togyer|first=Jason|title=Pitt Magazine: Airborne Defense|url=http://www.pittmag.pitt.edu/june2002/feature1.html|access-date=May 22, 2009|date=June 2002|publisher=University of Pittsburgh|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100616101219/http://www.pittmag.pitt.edu/june2002/feature1.html|archive-date=June 16, 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The principles and practices of biosurveillance, a new interdisciplinary science, were defined and described in the ''Handbook of Biosurveillance'', edited by Michael Wagner, Andrew Moore and Ron Aryel, and published in 2006. Biosurveillance is the science of real-time disease outbreak detection. Its principles apply to both natural and man-made epidemics (bioterrorism).

Data which potentially could assist in early detection of a bioterrorism event include many categories of information. Health-related data such as that from hospital computer systems, clinical laboratories, [[electronic health record]] systems, medical examiner record-keeping systems, 911 call center computers, and veterinary medical record systems could be of help; researchers are also considering the utility of data generated by [[ranching]] and [[feedlot]] operations, food processors, [[drinking water]] systems, school attendance recording, and physiologic monitors, among others.<ref name="WangerMAvailabilityAndComparativeValueOfData" />

In [[Europe]], disease surveillance is beginning to be organized on the continent-wide scale needed to track a biological emergency. The system not only monitors infected persons, but attempts to discern the origin of the outbreak.

Researchers have experimented with devices to detect the existence of a threat:

* Tiny [[integrated circuit|electronic chips]] that would contain living [[neuron|nerve cells]] to warn of the presence of bacterial toxins (identification of broad range toxins)
* [[Fiber-optic]] tubes lined with [[antibody|antibodies]] coupled to light-emitting molecules (identification of specific pathogens, such as anthrax, botulinum, ricin)

Some research shows that ultraviolet [[avalanche photodiodes]] offer the high gain, reliability and robustness needed to detect anthrax and other bioterrorism agents in the air. The fabrication methods and device characteristics were described at the 50th Electronic Materials Conference in Santa Barbara on June 25, 2008. Details of the photodiodes were also published in the February 14, 2008, issue of the journal Electronics Letters and the November 2007 issue of the journal IEEE Photonics Technology Letters.<ref>[http://newswise.com/articles/view/541788/ Avalanche Photodiodes Target Bioterrorism Agents] Newswise, Retrieved on June 25, 2008.</ref>

The United States Department of Defense conducts global biosurveillance through several programs, including the Global Emerging Infections Surveillance and Response System.<ref>Pellerin, Cheryl. [http://www.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=65852 "Global Nature of Terrorism Drives Biosurveillance."] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130112191814/http://www.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=65852 |date=January 12, 2013 }} ''American Forces Press Service'', October 27, 2011.</ref>

Another powerful tool developed within New York City for use in countering bioterrorism is the development of the New York City [[Syndromic Surveillance]] System. This system is essentially a way of tracking disease progression throughout New York City, and was developed by the [[New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene]] (NYC DOHMH) in the wake of the 9/11 attacks. The system works by tracking the symptoms of those taken into the emergency department—based on the location of the hospital to which they are taken and their home address—and assessing any patterns in symptoms. These established trends can then be observed by medical epidemiologists to determine if there are any disease outbreaks in any particular locales; maps of disease prevalence can then be created rather easily.<ref>Chen, H, D Zeng, and Y Pan. "Infectious Disease Informatics: Syndromic Surveillance for Public Health and Bio-Defense." 20120, XXII, 209p. 68 illus.., Hardcover.</ref> This is an obviously beneficial tool in fighting bioterrorism as it provides a means through which such attacks could be discovered in their nascence; assuming bioterrorist attacks result in similar symptoms across the board, this strategy allows New York City to respond immediately to any bioterrorist threats that they may face with some level of alacrity.