IT can assist in outbreak investigation in various processes. During active case finding, CDSS may be one of the tools to help in the screening process. Applying IT in the data collection process helps to systematically and comprehensively record outbreak data. Exchangeable and timely visualized reporting data, like epidemic curves, help decision-making to manage the outbreak more effectively and promptly. Additionally, using GIS to specifically locate where is the hotspot of the outbreak also helps the investigator to respond and take action appropriately.

Information technology (IT) can be applied to enhance the process of outbreak investigation, taking COVID19 as an example, IT is already being applied in the process of describing outbreak situation, response/ action, and communication.
Connected diagnostic device and Wearables with sensing technology are used for COVID-19 case identification, Survey apps and websites are used for Symptom reporting, Data extraction and visualization are used for Data dashboard, and Machine learning is used for Web-based epidemic intelligence tools and online syndromic surveillance to describe the pandemic situation.
When it comes to action and communication, Smartphone apps with Bluetooth technology and/ or Location data are used to interrupt community transmission, and Social media platforms and Online search engines are used to enhance public communication.

Information technology can apply in many steps of outbreak investigation. First, information technology helps accessing the literature review and preliminary information more easy and reliable. For example, accessing the WHO website to review the update guideline of each disease to have the proper guideline. Second, information technology help the data collection steps faster by accessing health data via electronic health record. Third, in the step of descriptive data analysis, using information technology assist to generate the epidemic curve and the map distribution more systematic, easy to monitor, and leads to prompt response. Lastly, information technology enable the communication to public more accessible and more extensive.

Information technology can implement into the process of an outbreak investigation in many aspects. Firstly, an information system promotes systematically collected data and records information. In addition, data integration and system interoperability facilitate field investigators and central office staff to access the data on time, which is a vital part of an outbreak investigation. Secondly, information technology enables the pattern of spread, magnitude, time trend, outliers, exposure, and disease incubation period from Epi curve analysis. Moreover, implementation of control measures and follow-up also need information technology. Lastly, communicating and reporting to the public using many social media platforms is the other advantage of information technology.

Information systems are beneficial in the process of investigating an outbreak. Based on my experience with malaria outbreaks. Early warning of an outbreak can be known through an information system called E-WARS (Early Warning, Alert and Response System), an information system that collects aggregate data every week for cases with potential outbreaks. After the outbreak report is received and verified, an investigation is carried out. The national malaria surveillance information system, namely SISMAL, is a general information system, so it needs to be added with other tools.
Malaria epidemiological investigation begins by mapping cases based on the smallest administrative level, namely sub-village. SHP data in Indonesia only reached villages, so the team made their own regional boundaries per sub-village. Malaria case data was taken from the SISMAL malaria information system and visualized in real-time with google studio because more special visualization was needed, which was not accommodated by SISMAL. Based on the data visualization in Google studio, the coordinate points of cases, mosquito breeding sites per sub-village can be mapped so that the number of people and houses that are targeted for intervention can be identified for further LLINs, IRS distribution, and health promotion interventions. The visualization helps convey the problem clearly to stakeholders so that the outbreak gets attention and assistance in handling it.

Information technology can help in outbreak investigation in many ways. For each step of an outbreak investigation, IT cab helps by
Verification and preparation –> Clinical Decision Support System (CDSS) can be used for differential diagnosis, verify and report the laboratory result in real-time.
Describe the outbreak –> Data collection of cases in the area can be easily done by information technology and can be managed systematically in the computer system instead of paper-based.
Hypothesis and Testing –> Data analysis can be done easily and in real-time with statistical software and other analytic systems software.
Response and Action –> Communication of the report and recommended policy now rely on computer networking and the internet, which is an important part of information technology.

Information technology, at its core, aims to automate or simplify human tasks. Electronic storage and recording of data allow further analysis on trends and examine the epidemic curve in a matter of few clicks. Statistical reports may be generated and can be used as evidentiary bases for decision-making and policy-making. Information technology also enables accessibility – allowing real-time access to information which is crucial especially in times of a highly transmissible disease.

Further, information technology also allows faster communication among the health facilities, communities, and healthcare workers – informing each other of impending outbreaks and enable the execution of collaborative, effective strategies to limit, mitigate, eliminate, or eradicate the health problem.

Information Technology plays a major role in various steps of outbreak investigations. It starts right from confirming outbreaks, laboratory analysis, hypothesis testing, and finally to ruling out when there is no more outbreak. Like in event-based surveillance information is collected from local media, reports hotline with the use of information technologies. Different software is used in the analysis and hypothesis testing.

Information technology has a crucial role in disease outbreak investigation. There are 4 steps of the outbreak investigation process.
– Verify and preparation
An outbreak usually begins with the first patient/community case. IT can use to identify a patient from an electronic medical record, laboratory testing, radiographic examination. A data preparation process will help for report and further investigation.
– Describe the outbreak
Once the outbreak has been reported, a new case of disease will be rapidly raised. IT can use for analysis. This data can use a database program to collect and create a report for further work.
– Hypothesis and testing
After we collect plentiful data from the outbreak, we can use statistic programs to visualize the cause and effect of disease, Mode of transmission, Determine important factors that facilitate or mitigate the severity of an outbreak. Pharmaceutical companies also use IT for developing new drugs/vaccines.
– Respond and action
Eventually, A new knowledge of an outbreak can be used for controlling the disease. IT will be used to evaluate the effectiveness of outbreak control. If the controlling of disease fails. We can use old data to adapt to a new policy.

IT can help in every step of the outbreak investigation, especially in the collecting and analysing the data. Data collection now can be done through web system that is integrated nationally. Using the collected data, finding patterns and performing descriptive analysis to identify the location, gender, and age group at risk would be easier and quicker. A proper analysis and outbreak identification will lead to appropriate response. In addition, IT also help in communicating the outbreak situation to the public by using web dashboard or quick summary through official social media.

Information technology can assist several steps of the outbreak investigation process. It fastens data intake and collecting steps in the EMR for the huge population. The data in EMR/database can be used for verifying and identifying patients. We can use the data in the IT system for disease surveillance, analyze the trend and areas, use for research, investigate risk areas or covariates related to the outbreak and finally use it to design the disease controlling plan and respond properly.

Information Technologies are beneficial in many steps of the outbreak investigation. One of my most favourite is The Dashboard visualization that could help you see the big picture. The dashboard visualization can be used in many levels of Authorities, especially the management level and leads to a good decision making. We can also use the interactive dashboard to reduce workload and redundancy of work of authorities, and also reduce misunderstanding communication.

Information Technologies would play major in steps of the outbreak investigation. IT can help improve in data gathering, data utilization, and data visualization in dissemination. With well design IT system, stakeholders can input accurate data in nearly real-time that can let every stakeholders being on the same page and can make proper and timely responses. Data collected using IT can be analyzed and collect in precisely and can be integrated to other data pool. Furthermore, IT can improve in dissemination, such as creating data visualization and to send data to others.

Unknowingly, Information Technology (IT) do assists the outbreak investigation process in such an extent. Electronic Medical Record (EMR) make the data collection and dissemination a lot easier, not to mentioned that it also help in the data analysis process. Data visualization tools make the data more digestible and then put the crucial information into one-page which helps the policy-makers making their decisions easier. There are various IT I don’t bring up and I’m sure those will greatly benefit to the investigation process.