Category:Epidemic intelligence - Revision history

Bosmana fem at 13:07, 18 May 2026

2026-05-18T13:07:40Z

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	A frequent source of confusion in epidemic intelligence is the distinction between a '''signal''' and an '''event'''.		A frequent source of confusion in epidemic intelligence is the distinction between a '''signal''' and an '''event'''.

	A '''signal''' is a piece of raw information from a formal or informal ~~source~~ — a news item, a rumour, a hospital alert, an entry in a scientific publication — that ''may'' indicate a public health concern but has not yet been assessed for relevance or accuracy. Signals are abundant, frequently irrelevant, and often unverified~~. Identifying them is essentially a screening task~~.		A '''signal''' is a piece of raw information emerging from screening of formal or informal sources — a news item, a rumour, a hospital alert, an entry in a scientific publication — that ''may'' indicate a public health concern but has not yet been assessed for relevance or accuracy. Signals are abundant, frequently irrelevant, and often unverified.

	An '''event''' is a signal (or cluster of signals) that has passed ~~initial~~ filtering and is judged to be potentially relevant to public health: for example, an unexplained cluster of illness, an unusual outbreak, or a reported hazardous exposure. An event is a hypothesis worth investigating, but it is not yet confirmed.		An '''event''' is a signal (or cluster of signals) that has passed filtering and is judged to be potentially relevant to public health: for example, an unexplained cluster of illness, an unusual outbreak, or a reported hazardous exposure. An event is a hypothesis worth investigating, but it is not yet confirmed.

	A '''validated event''' is an event that has been cross-checked against official or otherwise reliable sources and confirmed to be both real and adequately characterised. Only validated events proceed to risk analysis.		A '''validated event''' is an event that has been cross-checked against official or otherwise reliable sources and confirmed to be both real and adequately characterised. Only validated events proceed to risk analysis.

	In short, the process is a funnel of decreasing volume and increasing confidence: '''signals → events → validated ~~events~~'''.		In short, the process is a funnel of decreasing volume and increasing confidence: raw inputs are '''screened''' into signals, signals are '''filtered''' into events, and events are '''validated''' before analysis.

	== The epidemic intelligence process ==		== The epidemic intelligence process ==

Bosmana fem at 13:05, 18 May 2026

2026-05-18T13:05:44Z

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	Epidemic intelligence integrates indicator-based and event-based ~~components. ‘Indicator-based surveillance’ refers to structured data collected through routine [[~~surveillance ~~principles\|surveillance systems]]~~. ~~The ‘[[event-based surveillance]]’ refers~~ to ~~unstructured data gathered from formal and informal sources, such~~ as ~~the media~~ and ~~scientific publications. The purpose of both these components of epidemic intelligence is~~ to ~~quickly identify any event which might become a public concern~~. Epidemic ~~Intelligence~~ covers [[Formal Risk Assessment\|risk assessment]] and risk monitoring.		Epidemic intelligence is the systematic detection, verification, analysis, and communication of information about events that may pose a threat to public health. It integrates two complementary components: indicator-based surveillance and event-based surveillance. Both aim to detect public health threats as early as possible and to monitor known threats until they are resolved. Epidemic intelligence covers both [[Formal Risk Assessment\|risk assessment]] and risk monitoring.

	~~[[File:eimodelecdc.png\|600px\|frameless\|none]]~~		== Components of epidemic intelligence ==


	Epidemic intelligence aims to produce timely, validated, and actionable intelligence on events related to communicable diseases or of unknown origin that interest public ~~health and~~ health authorities. The process can be divided into early detection of new threats and ~~events and~~ monitoring ~~the~~ already identified ~~threats~~, including potential threats.		'''Indicator-based surveillance''' refers to structured data collected through routine [[surveillance principles\|surveillance systems]]. These systems gather predefined indicators on identified risks, emerging risks, and non-human health-related risks (such as environmental or zoonotic factors).

			'''[[Event-based surveillance]]''' refers to unstructured information gathered from formal and informal sources, including official reports, the media, scientific publications, and rumours circulating at national or international level.

			The two components are complementary. Indicator-based surveillance provides continuous, comparable data on known threats over time. Event-based surveillance enables rapid detection of unexpected or emerging threats that structured systems may miss, often before they are captured by routine reporting.

			[[File:eimodelecdc.png\|600px\|frameless\|none\|ECDC Epidemic Intelligence model]]

			== Signals and events ==

			A frequent source of confusion in epidemic intelligence is the distinction between a '''signal''' and an '''event'''.

			A '''signal''' is a piece of raw information from a formal or informal source — a news item, a rumour, a hospital alert, an entry in a scientific publication — that ''may'' indicate a public health concern but has not yet been assessed for relevance or accuracy. Signals are abundant, frequently irrelevant, and often unverified. Identifying them is essentially a screening task.

			An '''event''' is a signal (or cluster of signals) that has passed initial filtering and is judged to be potentially relevant to public health: for example, an unexplained cluster of illness, an unusual outbreak, or a reported hazardous exposure. An event is a hypothesis worth investigating, but it is not yet confirmed.

			A '''validated event''' is an event that has been cross-checked against official or otherwise reliable sources and confirmed to be both real and adequately characterised. Only validated events proceed to risk analysis.

			In short, the process is a funnel of decreasing volume and increasing confidence: '''signals → events → validated events'''.

			== The epidemic intelligence process ==

			Epidemic intelligence aims to produce timely, validated, and actionable intelligence on events related to communicable diseases — or to disease of unknown origin — that are of interest to public health authorities. The process can be divided into the early detection of new threats and the monitoring of threats already identified, including potential threats.

			=== Early detection ===

	Early detection comprises six elements:		Early detection comprises six elements:

	# Screening news, official reports or notes, and rumours ~~relevant~~ from a European perspective to ~~distinguish the~~ meaningful ~~information~~ signals ~~by applying specified~~ criteria.		# '''Screening''' news, official reports, notes, and rumours from a defined (e.g. European) perspective in order to identify meaningful signals, using predefined criteria.
	# Filtering the ~~events~~ to ~~identify~~ potential public health events of ~~European~~ interest.		# '''Filtering''' the signals to retain only those that represent potential public health events of interest.
	# Validating ~~the~~ events ~~that originate~~ from unofficial sources by cross-checking ~~with~~ official ~~and/~~or reliable ~~media~~ sources to ~~ensure~~ that the event ~~detected~~ is real and ~~fully~~ understood.		# '''Validating''' events originating from unofficial sources by cross-checking against official or otherwise reliable sources, to confirm that the event is real and adequately understood.
	# A validated event ~~will then be analyzed~~ to capture the full ~~information about the event~~, including epidemiological data, exposure ~~facts~~, and contextual ~~information~~.		# '''Analysing''' the validated event to capture the full picture, including epidemiological data, exposure information, and contextual factors.
	# ~~Based on the analysis, an assessment is made to estimate~~ the risk associated with the event.		# '''Assessing''' the risk associated with the event on the basis of the analysis (see [[Formal Risk Assessment\|risk assessment]]).
	# ~~Finally, communication~~ and ~~documentation of~~ the identified threats ~~are integral to epidemic intelligence~~ throughout the five steps ~~above~~.		# '''Communicating and documenting''' the identified threats. This element runs throughout the previous five steps and includes dissemination via ad-hoc communications, daily bulletins, and weekly bulletins.

	Monitoring identified threats is the active follow-up of all relevant information directly related to the threat. This iterative process continues until the threat is considered to have subsided or until all appropriate public health measures have been implemented.		=== Monitoring identified threats ===

	~~Of course, in~~ a rapidly evolving situation, professional ~~judgment should be exercised, and~~ it may be appropriate ~~under severe time constraints~~ to skip some of the above~~-mentioned steps~~ to share information quickly. However, if epidemic intelligence ~~can be~~ gathered systematically, as described ~~above~~, the outcome is a better-informed decision and more effective action.		Monitoring is the active follow-up of all information directly relevant to an identified threat. It is an iterative process that continues until the threat is considered to have subsided or until all appropriate public health measures have been implemented.

			== Practical considerations ==

			In a rapidly evolving situation, professional judgement is essential. Under severe time constraints it may be appropriate to skip or compress some of the steps above in order to share information quickly. However, when epidemic intelligence is gathered systematically as described, the outcome is a better-informed decision and more effective action.

	<div style="display: inline-block; width: 25%; vertical-align: top; border: 1px solid #000; background-color: #d7effc; padding: 10px; margin: 5px;">		<div style="display: inline-block; width: 25%; vertical-align: top; border: 1px solid #000; background-color: #d7effc; padding: 10px; margin: 5px;">
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	: Arnold Bosman		: Arnold Bosman
	</div>		</div>


	[[Category:Assessing the burden of disease and risk assessment]]		[[Category:Assessing the burden of disease and risk assessment]]

Bosmana fem at 08:59, 23 April 2023

2023-04-23T08:59:25Z

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	;Contributor		;Contributor
	: Arnold Bosman		: Arnold Bosman
	</div		</div>


	[[Category:Assessing the burden of disease and risk assessment]]		[[Category:Assessing the burden of disease and risk assessment]]

Bosmana fem: /* FEM PAGE CONTRIBUTORS 2017 */

2023-04-23T08:59:11Z

FEM PAGE CONTRIBUTORS 2017

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	Of course, in a rapidly evolving situation, professional judgment should be exercised, and it may be appropriate under severe time constraints to skip some of the above-mentioned steps to share information quickly. However, if epidemic intelligence can be gathered systematically, as described above, the outcome is a better-informed decision and more effective action.		Of course, in a rapidly evolving situation, professional judgment should be exercised, and it may be appropriate under severe time constraints to skip some of the above-mentioned steps to share information quickly. However, if epidemic intelligence can be gathered systematically, as described above, the outcome is a better-informed decision and more effective action.

	==FEM PAGE CONTRIBUTORS ~~2017==~~		<div style="display: inline-block; width: 25%; vertical-align: top; border: 1px solid #000; background-color: #d7effc; padding: 10px; margin: 5px;">
			'''FEM PAGE CONTRIBUTORS 2007'''
	; Editors		; Editors
	: Vladimir Prikazsky		: Vladimir Prikazsky
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	;Contributor		;Contributor
	: Arnold Bosman		: Arnold Bosman
			</div


	[[Category:Assessing the burden of disease and risk assessment]]		[[Category:Assessing the burden of disease and risk assessment]]

Bosmana fem at 06:55, 24 March 2023

2023-03-24T06:55:36Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 06:55, 24 March 2023
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	Epidemic intelligence integrates indicator-based and event-based components. ‘Indicator-based surveillance’ refers to structured data collected through routine [[surveillance principles\|surveillance systems]]. The ‘[[event-based surveillance]]’ refers to unstructured data gathered from formal and informal sources, such as the media and scientific publications. The purpose of both these components of epidemic intelligence is to quickly identify any event which might become a public concern. Epidemic Intelligence covers [[risk assessment]] and risk monitoring.		Epidemic intelligence integrates indicator-based and event-based components. ‘Indicator-based surveillance’ refers to structured data collected through routine [[surveillance principles\|surveillance systems]]. The ‘[[event-based surveillance]]’ refers to unstructured data gathered from formal and informal sources, such as the media and scientific publications. The purpose of both these components of epidemic intelligence is to quickly identify any event which might become a public concern. Epidemic Intelligence covers [[Formal Risk Assessment\|risk assessment]] and risk monitoring.

	[[File:eimodelecdc.png\|600px\|frameless\|none]]		[[File:eimodelecdc.png\|600px\|frameless\|none]]


	Epidemic intelligence aims to produce timely, validated, and actionable intelligence on events related to communicable diseases or of unknown origin that interest public health and health authorities. The process can be divided into early detection of new threats and events and monitoring the ~~threats that have~~ already ~~been~~ identified, including potential threats.		Epidemic intelligence aims to produce timely, validated, and actionable intelligence on events related to communicable diseases or of unknown origin that interest public health and health authorities. The process can be divided into early detection of new threats and events and monitoring the already identified threats, including potential threats.

	Early detection comprises six elements:		Early detection comprises six elements:

	# Screening news, official reports or notes, and ~~rumors~~ relevant from a European perspective to distinguish the meaningful information signals by applying specified criteria.		# Screening news, official reports or notes, and rumours relevant from a European perspective to distinguish the meaningful information signals by applying specified criteria.
	# Filtering the events to identify potential public health events of European interest.		# Filtering the events to identify potential public health events of European interest.
	# Validating the events that originate from unofficial sources by cross-checking with official and/or reliable media sources to ensure that the event detected is real and fully understood.		# Validating the events that originate from unofficial sources by cross-checking with official and/or reliable media sources to ensure that the event detected is real and fully understood.

Bosmana fem at 05:46, 24 March 2023

2023-03-24T05:46:38Z

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	Of course, in a rapidly evolving situation, professional judgment should be exercised, and it may be appropriate under severe time constraints to skip some of the above-mentioned steps to share information quickly. However, if epidemic intelligence can be gathered systematically, as described above, the outcome is a better-informed decision and more effective action.		Of course, in a rapidly evolving situation, professional judgment should be exercised, and it may be appropriate under severe time constraints to skip some of the above-mentioned steps to share information quickly. However, if epidemic intelligence can be gathered systematically, as described above, the outcome is a better-informed decision and more effective action.

			==FEM PAGE CONTRIBUTORS 2017==
			; Editors
			: Vladimir Prikazsky
			: Anonymous
			: Arnold Bosman
			;Contributor
			: Arnold Bosman



	[[Category:Assessing the burden of disease and risk assessment]]		[[Category:Assessing the burden of disease and risk assessment]]

Bosmana fem: Bosmana fem moved page Epidemic intelligence to Category:Epidemic intelligence

2023-03-22T20:23:42Z

Bosmana fem moved page Epidemic intelligence to Category:Epidemic intelligence

← Older revision	Revision as of 20:23, 22 March 2023
(No difference)

Bosmana fem at 20:22, 22 March 2023

2023-03-22T20:22:00Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:22, 22 March 2023
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	Of course, in a rapidly evolving situation, professional judgment should be exercised, and it may be appropriate under severe time constraints to skip some of the above-mentioned steps to share information quickly. However, if epidemic intelligence can be gathered systematically, as described above, the outcome is a better-informed decision and more effective action.		Of course, in a rapidly evolving situation, professional judgment should be exercised, and it may be appropriate under severe time constraints to skip some of the above-mentioned steps to share information quickly. However, if epidemic intelligence can be gathered systematically, as described above, the outcome is a better-informed decision and more effective action.

			[[Category:Assessing the burden of disease and risk assessment]]

Bosmana fem at 16:21, 18 December 2022

2022-12-18T16:21:44Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:21, 18 December 2022
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	Epidemic intelligence integrates indicator-based and event-based components. ‘Indicator-based surveillance’ refers to structured data collected through routine [[surveillance systems]]. The ‘[[event-based surveillance]]’ refers to unstructured data gathered from formal and informal sources, such as the media and scientific publications. The purpose of both these components of epidemic intelligence is to quickly identify any event which might become a public concern. Epidemic Intelligence covers [[risk assessment]] and risk monitoring.		Epidemic intelligence integrates indicator-based and event-based components. ‘Indicator-based surveillance’ refers to structured data collected through routine [[surveillance principles\|surveillance systems]]. The ‘[[event-based surveillance]]’ refers to unstructured data gathered from formal and informal sources, such as the media and scientific publications. The purpose of both these components of epidemic intelligence is to quickly identify any event which might become a public concern. Epidemic Intelligence covers [[risk assessment]] and risk monitoring.

	[[File:eimodelecdc.png\|600px\|frameless\|none]]		[[File:eimodelecdc.png\|600px\|frameless\|none]]

Bosmana fem at 16:19, 18 December 2022

2022-12-18T16:19:46Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:19, 18 December 2022
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	Epidemic intelligence integrates indicator-based and event-based components. ‘Indicator-based surveillance’ refers to structured data collected through routine surveillance systems. The ~~‘event~~-based ~~surveillance’~~ refers to unstructured data gathered from formal and informal sources, such as the media and scientific publications. The purpose of both these components of epidemic intelligence is to quickly identify any event which might become a public concern. Epidemic Intelligence covers risk assessment and risk monitoring.		Epidemic intelligence integrates indicator-based and event-based components. ‘Indicator-based surveillance’ refers to structured data collected through routine [[surveillance systems]]. The ‘[[event-based surveillance]]’ refers to unstructured data gathered from formal and informal sources, such as the media and scientific publications. The purpose of both these components of epidemic intelligence is to quickly identify any event which might become a public concern. Epidemic Intelligence covers [[risk assessment]] and risk monitoring.

	[[File:eimodelecdc.png\|600px\|frameless\|none]]		[[File:eimodelecdc.png\|600px\|frameless\|none]]