Development and Implementation of a Surveillance Network System for Emerging Infectious Diseases in the Caribbean (ARICABA)

Authors

  • WonGyu Lewis Kim University of Illinois at Chicago
  • Chelsea Anne Ducharme George Washington University
  • Bernard Jean-Marie Philippe Bucher Centre International Pour La Cooperation Medicale et Sanitaire dans la Caribbean et les Ameriques

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5210/ojphi.v3i2.3856

Abstract

Dengue fever, including dengue hemorrhagic fever, has become a re-emerging public health threat in the Caribbean in the absence of a comprehensive regional surveillance system. In this deficiency, a project entitled ARICABA, strives to implement a pilot surveillance system across three islands: Martinique, St. Lucia, and Dominica. The aim of this project is to establish a network for epidemiological surveillance of infectious diseases, utilizing information and communication technology. This paper describes the system design and development strategies of a “network of networks” surveillance system for infectious diseases in the Caribbean. Also described are benefits, challenges, and limitations of this approach across the three island nations identified through direct observation, open-ended interviews, and email communications with an on-site IT consultant, key informants, and the project director. Identified core systems design of the ARICABA data warehouse include a disease monitoring system and a syndromic surveillance system. Three components comprise the development strategy: the data warehouse server, the geographical information system, and forecasting algorithms; these are recognized technical priorities of the surveillance system. A main benefit of the ARICABA surveillance system is improving responsiveness and representativeness of existing health systems through automated data collection, process, and transmission of information from various sources. Challenges include overcoming technology gaps between countries; real-time data collection points; multiple language support; and “component-oriented” development approaches. Keywords: outbreak, surveillance, syndromic surveillance, forecasting, emerging infectious diseases, Caribbean

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How to Cite

Kim, W. L., Ducharme, C. A., & Bucher, B. J.-M. P. (2011). Development and Implementation of a Surveillance Network System for Emerging Infectious Diseases in the Caribbean (ARICABA). Online Journal of Public Health Informatics, 3(2). https://doi.org/10.5210/ojphi.v3i2.3856

Issue

Section

Capstones and Working Papers