Verification and Preparation
• Establish the existence of an outbreak: Using National/ District level surveillance database can help collection, collation, analysis and use of data for disease surveillance for detecting abnormal trends.
For e.g.
Global level – WHO’s Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network (GOARN), ProMED-Mail
National/District level – DHIS 2
Specialized disease surveillance – MIS (malaria information system)
• Verify the diagnosis: Laboratory confirmation results can be shared to relevant stakeholders, through health information systems or other digital communication channels.
• Prepare for fieldwork: Preliminary meetings with decision makers and field team can be done via digital platforms, field data collection using mobile tools.
Describe the Outbreak
• Find cases systematically and record information: Data can be recorded into the information systems and store collectively in central databases to avoid fragmentation and foster real-time data-driven decision making.
• Perform descriptive epidemiology: Using visualization tools and geological mapping (GIS) to generate insights into the disease distribution, magnitudes and hotspots.
Hypothesis and Testing
• Develop hypothesis: Data visualization tools can provide insight into the possible sources, mode of transmission and the offending organisms.
• Analytical studies to test hypothesis: Using statistical software (e.g., SPSS, R, or STATA) to confirm the hypothesis.
• Special studies (environmental or laboratory): Environmental monitoring tools and Laboratory management information system enhance the surveillance system.
Response and Action
• Implementation of control measures and follow-up: Broadcast and follow-up the control measures through various digital platforms for community awareness.
• Communication: Through out the process of surveillance, digital communication tools play a critical role, ensu
