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A framework for geographical surveillance of disease in China

Shaobo Zhong (Department of Engineering Physics, Institute for Public Safety Research, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China)
Zhanhui Sun (Department of Engineering Physics, Institute for Public Safety Research, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China)
Quanyi Huang (Department of Engineering Physics, Institute for Public Safety Research, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China)
Chunxiang Cao (Institute of Remote Sensing Applications, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China)

International Journal of Disaster Resilience in the Built Environment

ISSN: 1759-5908

Article publication date: 4 October 2011

512

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to address the urgent need for guiding the construction of information systems for disease surveillance and early warning, given the latest efforts of the report system of public health information over China.

Design/methodology/approach

A system framework for disease surveillance and early warning, based on disease clustering test and cluster detection techniques, geographical information system, network and communication is conceived. Through geographical surveillance analysis of severe acute respiratory syndrome occurring in Beijing in 2003, an application example of the framework is illustrated.

Findings

Through approaches such as integrating spatial‐time clustering test and cluster detection algorithms, spatial visualization, computer network, wireless communication, it is feasible to build a systematic, automatic, real‐time surveillance and early warning system for prevention and control of disease.

Research limitations/implications

The present study provides an underlying framework for the development of disease surveillance and early warning system enabling data acquisition, data analysis and alarm publishing.

Originality/value

The framework integrates report system of public health information, GIS and disease clustering test and cluster detection techniques into an application, which will significantly enhance the resilience of healthcare facilities. It is supposed to be implemented in near future and provides fundamental support for nation‐wide disease surveillance and early warning.

Keywords

Citation

Zhong, S., Sun, Z., Huang, Q. and Cao, C. (2011), "A framework for geographical surveillance of disease in China", International Journal of Disaster Resilience in the Built Environment, Vol. 2 No. 3, pp. 256-267. https://doi.org/10.1108/17595901111167123

Publisher

:

Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2011, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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