Visual Analytics of Surveillance Data on Foodborne Vibriosis, United States, 1973–2010

Foodborne illnesses caused by microbial and chemical contaminants in food are a substantial health burden worldwide. In 2007, human vibriosis (non-cholera Vibrio infections) became a notifiable disease in the United States. In addition, Vibrio species are among the 31 major known pathogens transmitted through food in the United States. Diverse surveillance systems for foodborne pathogens also track outbreaks, illnesses, hospitalization and deaths due to non-cholera vibrios. Considering the recognition of vibriosis as a notifiable disease in the United States and the availability of diverse surveillance systems, there is a need for the development of easily deployed visualization and analysis approaches that can combine diverse data sources in an interactive manner. Current efforts to address this need are still limited. Visual analytics is an iterative process conducted via visual interfaces that involves collecting information, data preprocessing, knowledge representation, interaction, and decision making. We have utilized public domain outbreak and surveillance data sources covering 1973 to 2010, as well as visual analytics software to demonstrate integrated and interactive visualizations of data on foodborne outbreaks and surveillance of Vibrio species. Through the data visualization, we were able to identify unique patterns and/or novel relationships within and across datasets regarding (i) causative agent; (ii) foodborne outbreaks and illness per state; (iii) location of infection; (iv) vehicle (food) of infection; (v) anatomical site of isolation of Vibrio species; (vi) patients and complications of vibriosis; (vii) incidence of laboratory-confirmed vibriosis and V. parahaemolyticus outbreaks. The additional use of emerging visual analytics approaches for interaction with data on vibriosis, including non-foodborne related disease, can guide disease control and prevention as well as ongoing outbreak investigations

Epidemiologic Responses to Anthrax Outbreaks: A Review of Field Investigations, 1950–2001

We used unpublished reports, published manuscripts, and communication with investigators to identify and summarize 49 anthrax-related epidemiologic field investigations conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention from 1950 to August 2001. Of 41 investigations in which Bacillus anthracis caused human or animal disease, 24 were in agricultural settings, 11 in textile mills, and 6 in other settings. Among the other investigations, two focused on building decontamination, one was a response to bioterrorism threats, and five involved other causes. Knowledge gained in these investigations helped guide the public health response to the October 2001 intentional release of B. anthracis, especially by addressing the management of anthrax threats, prevention of occupational anthrax, use of antibiotic prophylaxis in exposed persons, use of vaccination, spread of B. anthracis spores in aerosols, clinical diagnostic and laboratory confirmation methods, techniques for environmental sampling of exposed surfaces, and methods for decontaminating buildings

500 Cities Project: Local Data for Better Health 2014

The 500 Cities Project-Local Data for Better Health-is a collaboration among the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the CDC Foundation, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), whose purpose is to provide high quality small area estimates for behavioral risk factors that influence health status, for health outcomes, and the use of clinical preventive services. These estimates can be used to identify emerging health problems and to develop and implement of effective, targeted public health prevention activities. This report is specific to Buffalo, NY

A Healthy Home for Everyone: The Guide for Families and Individuals

The purpose of this booklet is to provide information about the connection between housing and health. You will find action steps for making your home healthy, definitions for words used in the booklet, and a resource section to find more information about a making your home a healthy home

International Classification of External Causes of Injury

prepared by J. Lee Annest, Chester L. Pogostin."Report to the World Health Organization Collaborating Centers on the Classification of Disease.

Impact of iron fortification of soy sauce on the micronutrient status of the Chinese population : an efficacy trial; final technical report

NaFeEDTA was selected as the iron fortificant and the concentration of iron added to soy sauce was designed to be 26.7 mg/l00 ml, based on previous bioavailability and efficacy studies in humans. The compliance of soy sauce distribution and consumption was excellent. Blood Hb was measured four times throughout the whole study. The results clearly show that after 6 months of intervention, the Hb level was significantly higher in each age and gender group of the active group than those of the control group. This is a detailed trial and study

Annual epidemiological report Reporting on 2009 surveillance data and 2010 epidemic intelligent data

Paula Lavado representa Portugal enviando os dados microbiológicos e participando nas reuniões científicasThis edition of the Annual Epidemiological Report presents the surveillance data reported to ECDC for 2009 and an analysis of the public health threats detected in 2010 through ECDC’s routine epidemic intelligence. It provides an overview of communicable diseases in the European Union and describes areas where a more concerted public health response is required in order to decrease the burden of disease on society and healthcare systems