EPICORE: AN INNOVATIVE GLOBAL DISEASE SURVEILLANCE TOOL FOR HUMAN, ANIMAL, AND ENVIRONMENTAL PUBLIC HEALTH EVENTS

Abstract

Intro: EpiCore was launched in 2013 and is a tool designed to supplement traditional infectious disease surveillance efforts by bringing together human, animal, and environmental experts on a digital platform to provide field-based verification efforts of global public health events1,2. Public health professionals from organizations around the globe, including Ending Pandemics, HealthMap, Geosentinel, MSF-OCBA, ProMED, and EDIS-RSOE, are trained as Moderators and are able to send Requests for Information (RFIs). Moderators utilize nontraditional resources, such as social media and news articles, to identify potential health events. Methods: Through EpiCore, moderators send out a RFI to EpiCore members located in a geographic area where a new or known health event is occurring. Health experts who receive the RFI may anonymously respond with information about the health event. A moderator reviews the responses and determines whether the information verifies a new event or updates a known ongoing event. Verified and updated events are summarized and published on the EpiCore public dashboard and shared with WHO EIOS. The study period was January 2020 - July 2022. Findings: In the study period, 231 RFIs were sent requesting signals about potential health events; 111 of those RFIs received responses with information that allowed moderators to confirm or negate a suspected event, or update a known ongoing event. 82% of those RFIs were responded to within 24 hours. Conclusion: EpiCore is a resource for public health professionals and organizations to supplement traditional infectious disease surveillance efforts. For example, information collected through EpiCore was used to provide timely details on the emerging COVID-19 outbreak in Wuhan, China in January 2020. Additionally, responses to RFIs supported surveillance efforts of the 2022 global monkeypox outbreak. Future efforts include outreach and engagement with existing and new members to expand EpiCore's member base in countries with few to no members.